Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION: EVIDENCE FROM ARAB COUNTRIES

Air pollution is among the most convincing environmental threats in the Arab region. The knowledge economy has the potential to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) by promoting sustainable development and encouraging the creation and implementation of clean technology products that are more efficient and less environmentally harmful. The knowledge-pollution relationship and the validity of the EKC hypothesis were examined in this paper during the period 2000–2020 for a sample of 11 Arab countries, namely: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, and Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia, using the extended environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) framework. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model is applied to achieve this aim. The long-term results refuted the validity of the EKC theory by showing that knowledge has no quadratic relationship to CO2. By substituting the sub-indicators for the knowledge index, the long-run coefficients reveal that only the ICT pillar significantly impacted pollution since it accelerates CO2 emissions. In the short term, the obtained outcomes demonstrate that ICT raises the quality of the environment while EIR increases pollution levels. The paper shows that the Arab countries should make greater efforts to accelerate their transition to knowledge economies in order to benefit from the beneficial effects of this economy in combating environmental pollution and increase investment in knowledge bases to lessen environmental deterioration. Therefore, in light of the effect of ICTs on environmental pollution, Arab governments are advised to advance their emissions targets by encouraging the successful implementation of effective ICT strategies and projects in the environmental field.
Coronal O VI emission observed with UVCS/SOHO during solar flares: Comparison with soft X-ray observations

In this work, we derive the O VI 1032 A luminosity profiles of 58 flares, during their impulsive phase, based on off-limb measurements by the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS) aboard the SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). The O VI luminosities from the transition region plasma (here defined as the region with temperatures 5.0 ≤ log T (K) ≤ 6.0) were inferred from the analysis of the resonantly scattered radiation of the O VI coronal ions. The temperature of maximum ionization for O VI is log T max (K) = 5.47. By comparison with simultaneous soft X-ray measurements, we investigate the likely source (chromospheric evaporation, footpoint emission, or heated prominence ejecta) for the transition region emission observed during the impulsive phase. In our study, we find evidence of the main characteristics predicted by the evaporation scenario. Specifically, most O VI flares precede the X-ray peaks typically by several minutes with a mean of 3.2 ± 0.1 min, and clear correlations are found between the soft X-ray and transition region luminosities following power laws with indices ~ 0.7 ± 0.3. Overall, the results are consistent with transition region emission originating from chromospheric evaporation; the thermal X-ray emission peaks after the emission from the evaporation flow as the loops fill with hot plasma. Finally, we were able to infer flow speeds in the range ~20−100 km s -1 for one-third of the events, 14 of which showed speeds between 60 and 80 km s -1 . These values are compatible with those found through direct spectroscopic observations at transition region temperatures by the EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) on board Hinode.
Cylowa Zerwa landslide – debris flow forms on Mount Babia Góra (1725) and their development over the last ca. 150 years, Western Carpathians

Cylowa Zerwa landslide – debris flow located on the northern slope of Mt. Babia Góra (1725 m a.s.l.) within the 400 m wide altitude interval (1430-1024 m a.s.l.) is a knowable object which however has not been sufficiently noticed in geomorphological research. This paper, based on geomorphological, geological and dendrochronological investigations, as well as LiDAR data analysis, develops the following issues which describe the functioning of this object during the last ca. 150 years: Cylowa Zerwa in the gravity induced mass movements system of Mt. Babia Góra; relief of the landslide – debris flow and surrounding areas; stages of changes in limit and relief of the mass movement area during the last 150 years; relief elements of the Cylowa Zerwa which are related to debris flow; relationship between dates of the Cylowa Zerwa activation with annual spruce increments. The Cylowa Zerwa, as the only one among Mt. Babia Góra landslides studied, is distinguished by a clear bipartite relief – the upper segment is represented by rock packages, whereas landforms of the middle and lower segments are similar to those originated in the conditions of debris flow. The Cylowa Zerwa landslide – debris flow shows significant education values and it is a remarkable geotourist object.
A study on the effect of macroeconomic factors on stock market performance in Malaysia

This study examines the effect of macroeconomic variables on stock market performance in Malaysia from January 2015 to December 2021. The macroeconomic variables included in this study are inflation rate, real effective exchange rate, m2 money supply and short-term interest rate. Johansen Cointegration Test has been utilized if the variables have long-term impact on Malaysian stock market performance; whereas regression analysis will quantify the impact. The results show that the real effective exchange rate has a moderate positive effect on KLCI index. Secondly, the inflation rate and overnight-policy rate have long-term positive effect on the KLCI index. M2 money supply has a long-term negative effect on the KLCI index. This study extends previous studies by examining the effect of macroeconomic variables on stock market performance in emerging market.
Finding similar trailing edges in large collections of photographs of sperm whales

The North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sperm Whale Catalogue (NAMSC 1.0) contains images collected via the cooperative effort of several individuals studying sperm whales in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. The collection offers an important opportunity to test matching algorithms as an aid to photo-identification of individual sperm whales. Of the 2,081 photographs in the catalogue, 1,929 were of sufficient quality for photo-identification. The trailing edge of the fluke, an identifying feature, was extracted by an interactive method. Subsequently, the trailing edge was represented in a normalised form by an affine transformation. Left and right halves were processed separately. Using different methods, 489 matching pairs of photographs were found. Based on these confirmed matches, the power of several measures of similarity was compared. The measure of similarity calculated by cross-correlating the continuous wavelet transforms of the extracted contours was found to perform best in practice. No conclusive matches between photographs from different geographic locations were found.
ASSESSMENT OF REASONS FOR INITIAL ENDODONTIC THERAPY FAILURE BASED ON RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS

Objective: To assess the reasons for failure of beginning endodontic therapy. Material and Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at University of Lahore during the period from February, 2016 to December, 2016. Total 400 patients were included in which males were 214 (53.50%) and female patients were 186 (46.50%). Age ranges of all the patients were 13-years to 70-years. To find out the reasons for failure of beginning root-canal therapy, examination of periapical radiographs of these four hundred patients was done. Results: Canal under-obturation was found in 182 (45.50%), poor-obturation in 104 (26.0%), missed canals had 58 (14.50%), over-obturation observed in 20 (5.0%) and iatrogenic error was found in 9% as a reason for failure of beginning root-canal therapy out of these 400 radiographs. Conclusion: It was concluded that root-canal under-obturation was the most general reason for beginning endodontic treatment failure subsequently poor-obturation, over-obturation, missed canals and iatrogenic errors.
Urinary Bladder Carcinoma in Females: A Clinico-Pathological Assessment

Background: Urinary bladder cancer is an uncommon cancer in females. Despite not being an infrequent encounter, female bladder cancer remains a poorly defined entity. There is a paucity of literature regarding bladder cancer in females, especially in North India. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinico-pathological profile of bladder cancer in female patients managed at a single centre in north India. Materials and methods: This retrospective observational study was carried out in a tertiary care centre in North India. Medical records and a database of female patients with bladder cancer treated between January 2012 and January 2021 were retrieved. Data regarding age, duration of disease, associated comorbidity, histopathological variants, and outcomes were studied. Results: Out of 56 female patients with bladder masses, 55 had transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), while one had pheochromocytoma. Painless hematuria (80.3%) was the commonest presentation. At the time of presentation, 5 patients (9.1%) had muscle-invasive bladder cancer (T2-T4), while 50 patients had non-muscle-invasive disease, out of which 31 (56.4%) patients had high-grade and 19 (34.5%) patients had low-grade papillary carcinoma. Twenty-three patients (41.8%) had a history of exposure to domestic chulha (open wood-burning cooking stove), and 11 patients (20%) were smokers; six patients (10.9%) were exposed to both risk factors. Conclusions: Female bladder cancer was most prevalent in the sixth decade of life, with the majority of patients having a high-grade but non-muscle-invasive disease. Of all the risk factors, chulha exposure was the main risk factor in the aetiology of female bladder cancer.
Implicit Finite Volume Method to Simulate Reacting Flow

In this work, an efficient bi-implicit strategy is suitably developed within the context of a finite volume element approach in order to solve turbulent reactive flow governing equations. Based on the essence of control-volume-based finite-element methods, the formulation retains the geometrical flexibility of the pure finite element methods while derives the discrete alj;ebraic governing equations through using the conservation balance applied to discrete control volumes distributed all over the solution domain. The physical influence upwindinc scheme is used to approximate the advection fluxes at all cell faces. While respecting the physics of flow, this scheme also provides the necessary coupling of velocity and pressure fields. The two-equation I;-€ turbulence model and one step mixture fraction chemistry equation are simultaneously solved in a semi-coupled manner in order to achieve a better prediction of both the transport of turbulent species and the transport of mass fraction specie::. The validation of the current numerical results is fulfilled by comparing them with explerimental data and other available numerical results.
Yield, Chemical Composition and Bioactivity of Essential Oils from Common Juniper (Juniperus communis L.) from Different Spanish Origins

Essential oils (EOs) obtained from Juniperus communis L. are frequently used in the production of bioproducts. However, there are no studies regarding industrial crops’ production, allowing for better control of the quality and production of juniper EOs. To select the plant material for developing future crops of this species in northern Spain, four locations where this shrub species grows in the wild were selected and samples of both genera were collected. The EOs were obtained by steam distillation, and their chemical composition and bioactivity were evaluated. The results showed that the yield of EOs from male and female samples were within the usual reported ranges, varying between 0.24 and 0.58% (dry basis, d.b.). However, limonene content in three locations varied between 15 and 25%, which is between 100% and 200% higher than the values usually reported for other European countries. The antibacterial activity was determined by broth microdilution and showed that gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible to the tested EOs since, in general, lower MIC values were obtained compared to gram-negatives. The EOs from location 1 (L1F) and 2 (L2M) inhibited the growth of six out of the eight clinical strains tested. Samples from location 1 were particularly effective, exhibiting MBC against two gram-negative (E. coli and P. mirabilis) and one gram-positive bacteria (E. faecalis). Moreover, the majority of the EOs tested showed anti-inflammatory activity. Cytotoxic effect has been demonstrated in tumor cell lines, with the best results observed against gastric carcinoma (AGS) cells (GI50 between 7 to 77 µg/mL). Although generally presenting higher GI50, most samples also inhibited the growth of non-tumoral cells, particularly hepatocytes (PLP2 cells). Therefore, its use for their anti-proliferative activity should consider specific conditions to avoid damaging normal cells. Finally, the results and conclusions obtained led to the selection of the female shrubs from location 1 (L1F) as the plant material to be propagated in order to produce plants for a future juniper crop.
European by action: How voting reshapes nested identities

Although research has questioned the stability of identities, we know little about identity change. I examine a political event as a driver of identity change, namely the Brexit vote. I contend that the act of voting, choosing between two options, boosts the European and British identity underlying the vote choice. I test whether the increased identification with Europe or Britain comes with a reduction in the other identity. Using British Election Study panel data in a two-way fixed-effects design, I show that voting to remain increases identification with Europe but voting to leave does not increase British identification for Leavers. However, voting has no impact on how Remainers identify with Britain or Leavers identify with Europe. The results contribute to the growing literature on the link between politics and identities.
PERCEIVED BENEFITS, CHALLENGES AND LEVEL OF IMPLEMENTATION OF LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS) AMONG STAFF AND STUDENTS IN DELTA STATE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

This study examined the benefits, challenges and level of implementation of Learning Management System (LMS) in Delta State tertiary institutions. A total of six research questions and nine null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey method and an ex-post facto research design. The population of the study comprised all students and academic staff of tertiary institutions in Delta State. The sample size for the study comprised 323 academic staff and 380 students. The sampling techniques that were used for the study are proportionate stratified and convenience sampling techniques. The instrument used to collect data in this study is a questionnaire. The questionnaire was face and content validated by experts while Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient was used to estimate the reliability of the instrument. Mean, Standard Deviation and Independent samples t-test were used to analyse the data. The findings of the study revealed that the benefits of the learning management system as perceived by academic staff of tertiary institutions in Delta State is high; that there is a significant difference between the perception of staff and students on the benefits of the Learning Management System in tertiary institutions in Delta State; that no significant difference was found between the perception of male and female staff on the benefits of the Learning Management System in tertiary institutions in Delta State; that the benefits of the Learning Management System as perceived by students of tertiary institutions in Delta State is high; and that there is no significant difference between the perception of male and female students on the benefits of the Learning Management System in tertiary institutions in Delta State. The study recommended amongst others, that management should conduct pragmatic seminars and workshops to educate students and staff about the use of the LMS and the benefits they stand to gain in using the LMS for their academic activities. Article visualizations:
Numerical Study of Half Wavy and Half W-type Collecting Plates on the Characteristics of Electrostatic Precipitators

Many industries rely heavily on ESPs (electrostatic precipitators). They exist primarily as air filters to prevent hazardous particles from entering the environment. Duct-type ESPs are widely used, have a simple design, and rely on corona wires and collecting plates as their primary arrangement. Numerous studies have been conducted to demonstrate that changing the geometrical shape can aid in improving particle collection efficiency. Wavy plates, W-types, and other designs, for example, have shown to improve particle collection efficiency in a positive degree. The goal of this study is to see what happens when two different types of collecting plates are combined and used together. The proposal is to combine half wavy and half W-type collecting plates and examine them with corona wires with circular shapes. As a result, after completing the numerical study and comparing the results, it is clear that the levels of particle collection efficiency for the various particle sizes have increased with this proposed design. Furthermore, six cases are presented with this design, and the results describe the electrical properties and their magnitude distributions. In fact, in all of the cases presented, this type of combination increased particle collection efficiency.
Comprehensive Monitoring and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soil and Surface Water of Chishui River Basin in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River

Chishui River is an important ecological security barrier area in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China. Therefore, it is of great significance to conduct research on soil and water ecological risks in the Chishui River basin. In this paper, the risk of heavy metals pollution and its control factors was evaluated systematically by using surface water and soil samples from 16 tributaries in the Yunnan section of the Chishui River basin. The method of soil environmental capacity and ecological risk index were studied. The results showed that the average concentration of heavy metals in the surface water of the main stream was in the order of Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd > Hg. Except for Hg, all the concentrations of heavy metals were far lower than the Class I water limits in the Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water (GB3838-2002) issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, PRC. The average concentration of Hg concentration was 0.056 μg·L−1, which was slightly higher than the limit value of Class II. Heavy metals in the surface water were distributed in a point-like manner in the main stream of the Chishui River, which was mainly affected by mining drainage, township sewage, and human production activities. Meanwhile, the environmental capacity study showed that the heavy metals in soil were in the order of Zn > Pb > Cr > Ni > As > Hg > Cu > Cd, and the environmental capacity were significant differences among different soils: purple soil > limestone soil > loess > yellow-brown soil. Soil Cd tended to migrate out of the soil under the control of the occurrence form, vegetation coverage, and human production activities, while Cr, Cu, and Ni tended to accumulate in the soil. The average comprehensive ecological risk index (RI) of heavy metals in all tributaries ranged from 44.86 to 154.15, mainly distributed in medium and low ecological risk. Therefore, it is recommended to dynamically monitor and control these pollution points in the Chishui River basin to prevent the risk of heavy metals from escalating.
Infographics for learning and instruction

Abstract The purpose of this position paper in to provide guidance on the creation and utilization of infographics for learning and instruction. The paper includes practical insights and provides a framework for the creation of infographics. The framework can be used by educators to create their own infographics for instructional and visual literacy purposes. Students can also use the framework to create infographics that demonstrate their learning. The paper identifies best practices emerging from the authors’ classroom experience and makes suggestions for future research on using the framework in formal research endeavours.
Translation of the Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding Questionnaire into Brazilian Portuguese: A Cross-Sectional Study

This cross-sectional study aimed to translate and perform a psychometric analysis (evaluation of reproducibility and internal consistency) of the sDOR.2-6y™ into Brazilian Portuguese. The translation and back-translation followed the protocol required by the NEEDs Center, and the approved version was called “sDOR.2-6y™—Português-Brasil”. The approved version was submitted to a test–retest round to verify its reproducibility through the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). A pilot study was performed to assess the internal consistency of the instrument. The reproducibility analysis (n = 23) showed a total ICC of 0.945. With the data from the pilot study (n = 384), the internal consistency evaluation was analyzed through Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and the instrument obtained an overall Cronbach’s alpha of 0.301. The translation of the sDOR.2-6y™ into Brazilian Portuguese is the first and only tool available for the Brazilian population to exclusively assess the division of responsibility in feeding, which is essential to the academic community, health professionals, and research on child feeding. Therefore, this instrument in Brazilian Portuguese will allow future research on the division of responsibility in feeding among those responsible for children in Brazil.
Combinatorial Local Planarity and the Width of Graph Embeddings

Abstract Let G be a graph embedded in a closed surface. The embedding is “locally planar” if for each face, a “large” neighbourhood of this face is simply connected. This notion is formalized, following [RV], by introducing the width ρ(ψ) of the embedding ψ. It is shown that embeddings with ρ(ψ) ≥ 3 behave very much like the embeddings of planar graphs in the 2-sphere. Another notion, “combinatorial local planarity”, is introduced. The criterion is independent of embeddings of the graph, but it guarantees that a given cycle in a graph G must be contractible in any minimal genus embedding of G (either orientable, or non-orientable). It generalizes the width introduced before. As application, short proofs of some important recently discovered results about embeddings of graphs are given and generalized or improved. Uniqueness and switching equivalence of graphs embedded in a fixed surface are also considered.