Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Refractive index model to determine the vulnerability curves for different building typologies

In this paper, with reference to an analysis of seismic vulnerability on a territorial scale, we propose a new model for determining the damage in terms of a mean damage grade of a probabilistic nature. The theoretical approach is based on a behavioural analogy between a building and a particle in a dielectric, subjected respectively to an earthquake and a sinusoidal electric field: both phenomena are characterised by a critical value, and both phenomena obey the same rule when the relevant parameters are close to the critical value. We develop, in fact, a new expression for the vulnerability curves, simpler with respect to the existing one, and confirmed by data given in literature. This paper contributes to the development of a methodological process for estimating the degree of average damage in order to achieve results that can be used for preventive purposes.
Follow-Up Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Sagittal Groove Disease of the Equine Proximal Phalanx Using a Classification System in 29 Non-Racing Sports Horses

Simple Summary Sagittal groove disease (SGD) of the equine proximal phalanx is considered to be a chronic bone stress injury and reported to have variable evolution. The aim of this study was to describe SGD on sequential low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations using a classification system. The 29 horses included were predominantly warmbloods used for show jumping and had repeat MRI examinations ranging from 1 month to 3.2 years from initial examination. During the initial rehabilitation period, evolution of SGD MRI classification varied among horses. Importantly, two limbs with a subchondral microfissure and one with subchondral demineralisation progressed to incomplete macrofissure/fracture, indicating that these classifications should be considered a potential prodromal sign of macrofissure formation and horses with these findings should be carefully managed to minimise the risk of catastrophic fracture propagation. In this study, successful return to full training and competition was achieved in 86% of horses with SGD; however, 20% of horses re-presented for MRI with recurrent lameness after varying time periods. Further research is needed into patterns of progression of SGD on a larger scale with the objectives of improving risk assessments, prognostication and treatment plans. Abstract Evolution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in horses with sagittal groove disease (SGD) of the proximal phalanx is relatively sparsely described. This retrospective, descriptive, longitudinal study describes the findings of sequential low-field MRI fetlock examinations in horses with SGD of the proximal phalanx using a classification system. Twenty-nine horses were included, predominantly warmbloods used for show jumping (79%). For 29 limbs re-examined during the initial rehabilitation period, classification remained constant (n = 18), increased (n = 2), decreased (n = 7), and fluctuated (n = 2). Notably, two limbs with initial classification 4b (bone oedema-like signal with subchondral microfissure) and one with 4c (bone oedema-like signal with subchondral demineralisation) progressed to classification 5 (incomplete macrofissure/fracture), highlighting their potential as prodromal or imminent fissure pathology. Following conservative (n = 28) and surgical (n = 1) treatment, 86% of the horses re-entered full training and competition with a mean ± sd recovery time of 9.4 ± 4.4 months. In total, 20% of horses in the study subsequently presented for repeat MRI due to recurrent lameness after resuming full work, with classification that was the same (n = 2), increased (n = 2), or decreased (n = 2) compared with the last scan. This study underscores the variability in progression of SGD MRI findings, emphasising the need for further larger-scale research into patterns of progression.
Joint Emitter Localization and Calibration for Moving Array Sensors

This paper addresses the problem of joint emitter localization and calibration for moving array sensors. Precise knowledge of the array response is essential for bias-free direction finding (DF) and localization using techniques such as MUltiple SIgnal Classification (MUSIC) and direct position determination (DPD), respectively. Different extension of the array model have been proposed, in order to accurately describe the response of an array sensor to an electromagnetic wave with arbitrary direction of arrival.In this paper we propose a new self-calibration technique that jointly estimates emitter locations and array element position errors as well as gain and phase perturbations, two of the most common array imperfections. The Cramér-Rao lower bound is derived for this self-calibration problem and it is shown that the proposed method is asymptotically efficient using simulations. The correct operation of the self-calibration technique is verified using measurements collected by an array sensor designed for the 2.4 GHz ISM-band.
Evaluating Micro-habitat Selection by Northern Bobwhite in Virginia

We monitored radio-tagged northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) from January through July of 1990 and 1991 to determine if preferential habitat use oc- curred within the covey home range. We generated estimates of percent bare ground, average height of herbaceous vegetation, percent canopy cover of herbaceous vege- tation and honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), proportion of the herbaceous canopy represented by grasses, herbaceous quail foods, and woody vegetation <2 m tall at used and unused sites within 12 covey home ranges. We pooled the data within each home range and used 2 approaches to evaluate the extent to which these 7 variables influenced habitat use. First, we compared means from used and unused sites for each of the 7 parameters with a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Additionally, we regressed means from used sites on estimates from unused sites. The 2 approaches used to evaluate habitat selection yielded different results. Whereas the signed-rank test yielded significant (P = 0.04) results for only herbaceous quail foods (sites with higher cover of food were selected), results from the regressions were all significant (P < 0.05), indicating disproportional use of habitat characteristics except for cover of woody vegetation <2 m tall. Finally, we used data from use-sites to construct Suit- ability Index (SI) curves for bare ground, herbaceous quail foods, and woody vegetation <2 m tall. Our SI curves for bare ground and herbaceous quail foods were similar to the curves in the HSI model (Schroeder 1985). Our findings suggest that proportion of herbaceous canopy that is grass, total herbaceous cover, honeysuckle, herbaceous quail foods, and most especially bare ground, likely influence habitat use within the covey home range.
Frequency and associated factors with failure to perform the puerperal consultation in a cohort study

Abstract Objectives: to identify the frequency and factors associated with the non-realization of puerperal consultations in women resident of a medium-sized municipality in Brazil. Methods: a prospective cohort study based on data collected in two time points, the first 48h and after the 42nd day post-childbirth. In order to analyze data, proportions were compared using the chi-square test, and the adjusted analysis was performed using Poisson regression, according to a predetermined hierarchical model. Significance level was set at 5%. Results: of the 572 women included in the study, 24.8% did not perform puerperal consul-tations. The factors associated with the non-realization of puerperal consultations were: lower income (1 st tercile PR= 2.01; CI95%= 1.21-3.33 – 2 nd tercile PR= 1.94; CI95%=1.17-3.20) and schooling (≤ 8 years PR= 2.00; CI95%= 1.24-3.24), comorbidities during preg-nancy (PR= 1.45; CI95%= 1.01-2.09), realization of antenatal care in the public service (PR= 1.74; CI95%= 1.18-2.58) and non-use of contraceptive methods (PR= 3.10; CI95%=1.86-5.16). Conclusions: puerperal revision does not seem to be valued in the antenatal care, mainly in the public health system. An important inequality was identified in the provision of this service, since women more prone to recurring pregnancy and with lower income and schooling were the ones that least returned to the puerperal consultation.
Can Comprehensive Medical Reform Improve the Efficiency of Medical Resource Allocation? Evidence From China

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of comprehensive medical reform on the efficiency of medical resource allocation in China. Methods: This study employs the Slacks-Based Measure- Directional Distance Function (SBM-DDF) to estimate the efficiency of medical resource allocation (MRAE) in China, using panel data from 30 provinces during 2009–2021. Moreover, a multi-period Difference in differences (DID) model is developed to explore the effect of the comprehensive medical reform pilot (CMRP) strategy on efficiency of medical resource allocation in China. Results: The results show that the average value of China’s medical resources allocation efficiency is 0.861 during the sample period. Coastal area has a higher MRAE than that in the inland area. The DID results show that the comprehensive medical reform pilot strategy has a good, long-lasting impact on the efficiency of medical resource allocation. And the results remain valid after a series of robustness analysis. Additionally, the comprehensive medical reform policy has heterogeneous impact on efficiency of medical resource allocation. The promotion effect is only statistically significant in the eastern and central regions, the groups of higher MRAE and larger population size. Conclusion: China’s comprehensive medical reform policy can effectively promote the improvement of regional efficiency of medical resource allocation.
Benford’s law analysis to evaluate the quality data of COVID-19 epidemiological surveillance in Indonesia

Countries worldwide, including Indonesia, grappled with the unprecedented challenges brought about by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Surveillance data vividly illustrates the profound effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. Both daily cases and deaths were raised, revealing the rapid transmission of the virus within communities. A quantitative study using a statistical approach was accomplished with secondary data to evaluate the quality of COVID-19 epidemiological surveillance data in Indonesia during the period between March 2020 to January 2021. The data was sourced from the World Health Organization (WHO) website using data reports on COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths. A rapid tool called the first digit law or the fulfillment of Benford’s law was used to suggest good data quality for epidemiological surveillance. Data analysis used the Chi-squared test and the log-likelihood ratio test. Also, it displayed the difference in mean absolute deviation (MAD) to identify the proximity of the data and Benford’s law distribution. The results showed that both confirmed, and death case distributions were statistically non-conformity with Benford’s law distribution. In terms of quality data regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the epidemiological surveillance system falls short of Benford’s law assumption. Benford's law has been acknowledged as an initial analysis that can expeditiously assess the performance of a surveillance system. The next phase of this study would be to conduct a complete evaluation suitably, especially in post-pandemic COVID-19.
AI Based Stock Market Prediction- Theoretical Perspective

The financial and stock market sectors are being impacted by artificial intelligence since it is introducing new services and opportunities that are maintained particularly for each individual worldwide. It provides views in predicting, making forecasts, and providing real-time information. Recent increases in stock market investments, along with AI approaches, improve forecasting, and the nature of the stock market and its accompanying movements provide an essential component of financial forecasting. In, this paper we provide a theoretical aspect of forecasting AI based Stock market Prediction. Deep learning, Machine learning and their parts neural networks, support vector machines solve the complex data more efficiently and gives accurate results from the traditional techniques of analysis like fundamental analysis. The study concludes That for financial analysis the well -suited Deep learning and machine learning will provides optimum results for the investors.
Influence of Holocene permafrost aggradation and thaw on the paleoecology and carbon storage of a peatland complex in northwestern Canada

Permafrost in peatlands strongly influences ecosystem characteristics, including vegetation composition, hydrological functions, and carbon cycling. Large amounts of organic carbon are stored in permafrost peatlands in northwestern Canada. Their possible degradation into permafrost-free wetlands including thermokarst bogs may affect carbon (C) stocks, but the direction and magnitude of change are uncertain. Using peat core reconstructions, we characterized the temporal and spatial variability in vegetation macrofossil, testate amoebae, C content, and peat decomposition along a permafrost thaw chronosequence in the southern portion of the Scotty Creek watershed near Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. The accumulation of limnic and minerotrophic peat prevailed at the site until permafrost formed around 5000 cal. yr BP. Three distinct permafrost periods were identified in the permafrost peat plateau profile, while permafrost only aggraded once in the thermokarst bog profile. Permafrost thawed at ~550 and ~90 cal. yr BP in the thermokarst bog center and edge, respectively. Both allogenic (climatic shifts and wildfire) and autogenic (peat accumulation, Sphagnum growth) processes likely exerted control on permafrost aggradation and thaw. While apparent carbon accumulation rates (ACARs) were lower during present and past permafrost periods than during non-permafrost periods, long-term C accumulation remained similar between cores with different permafrost period lengths. Deep peat was less decomposed in the permafrost plateau compared with the thermokarst bog, which we speculate is due more to differences in peat type rather than differences in decomposition environment between these two ecosystem states. Our study highlights the importance of considering potential deep peat C losses to project the fate of thawing permafrost peat C stores.
Human ecology studies: the role of environmental factors in pregnancy

The relation between ecological factors and allergy during pregnancy was analysed and their influence on pregnant women’s health status was evaluated. The total of 205 pregnant women were interviewed using a questionnaire which included 235 questions concerning health status, housing conditions, socioeconomic status, environmental factors, smoking habits, family history of atopy, allergies and other. There were 121 (59.02%) healthy, 58 (28.29%) allergic and 26 (12.68%) atopic women among the respondents (the total of 84 (40.88%) in the allergy/atopy group). The differences between the healthy women and the allergic or atopic ones were significant in some cases. There was no significant difference between smoking women in healthy and aller-gic/atopic groups (p = 0.1209/0.8927). However, there were considerable differences in the family history of allergy (p < 0.0001), allergy history, pollinosis in the family, presence of soft furniture at home, dry flat.
Antimicrobial Activity of Crataegi fructus Extract Used for Potential Application in the Prevention and Treatment of Oral Diseases

Background and Objectives: This study evaluated the antimicrobial effect and cytotoxic potential of the natural Crataegi fructus extract against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), the causative agent of dental caries, which is a typical oral disease, and Candida albicans (C. albicans), which causes oral candidiasis. Materials and Methods: Crataegi fructus was shaken in 70% ethanol for 12 h to obtain samples through enrichment and lyophilization. Then, 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/mL of the Crataegi fructus extract were applied to S. mutans and C. albicans to demonstrate its antimicrobial effect after 24 h. The stability of Crataegi fructus extract on the survival rate of human keratinocytes (HaCaT) was confirmed using water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) analysis. A one-way ANOVA determined the difference between each group. A Tukey HSD test was performed as a post-hoc analysis at the 0.05 significance level. Results: Crataegi fructus extract showed antimicrobial effects against S. mutans and C. albicans that increased in a concentration-dependent manner. However, high concentrations affected cell growth and lowered cell survival. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 value) of Crataegi fructus extract showed a survival rate of 53.04% at a concentration of 30 mg/mL, which was found to be applicable. Conclusions: Thus, Crataegi fructus extract may be used as a natural material for the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. Crataegi fructus demonstrates optimal antimicrobial effects without affecting cell proliferation and growth at 30 mg/mL concentration.
Determinants of Online Education Technology Acceptance Among Vietnamese Undergraduates: A UTAUT-Typed Model Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic and information technology development have boosted online education, especially at higher education institutions. However, what makes online education exciting and valuable and influences student acceptance is not always understood. Using the modified unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model, stratified probability sampling method, the survey technique, 232 valid Vietnamese undergraduates as respondents, reliability and Pearson correlation tests, confirmatory factor analysis, and SEM, this study shows that the performance expectancy is not statistically significant in affecting the Vietnamese undergraduates' behavioral intentions related to online education technology acceptance. Also, the facilitating conditions are not statistically significant in affecting usage behavior. However, effort expectancy and social influence are statistically significant and positively affect Vietnamese undergraduates' behavioral intentions related to online education technology acceptance. Furthermore, the empirical results support behavioral intention's positive and significant impact on usage behavior. These findings help educators gain further knowledge of students' needs and then invest more in education technology for the success of their students and institutions. Also, higher education institutions are encouraged to spend more time and resources to train their students using technology to boost their online education acceptance.
Variations In The Genotypic And Phenotypic Characteristics Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Mrsa) From Students Attending Poultry Farms In Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria

Staphylococcus aureus causes significant epidemiologic and therapeutic challenges with various skin and soft tissue infections, the main forms of disease manifestation. The public health importance of this organism has been heightened by the emergence and spread of species that are resistant to treatment usually referred to as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). This study was carried out to detect mecA and mecC genes in phenotypically determined MRSA isolates. Nasal swab samples of the subjects were cultured on mannitol salt agar and the isolates were identified as S. aureus using a combined morphological and biochemical characteristic. Antibiotic susceptibility profile was performed using the disk diffusion susceptibility method whilst phenotypic detection of MRSA isolates was by Cefoxitin disk diffusion method as per CLSI guidelines. Genomic DNA was extracted from the isolates using commercial kits. The extracted DNA was subjected to multiplex PCR to amplify the 163-bp and 188-bp fragment of the mecA and mecC genes respectively in a Pielter thermal cycler. The susceptibility pattern of MRSA isolates showed that the organisms were highly resistant to Augmentin 29 (93.5%), ceftazidime 18 (58.1%), Streptomycin 19 (76%) whilst high levels of susceptibility were seen for Ofloxacin 27 (87.1%), Levofloxacin 28 (90.3%), and Gentamicin 24 (77.4%). The antibiotic resistance profiles in MRSA isolates were recorded as follows: ciprofloxacin 6 (16.2%), Augmentin 32 (86.4%), erythromycin 13 (35.1%), Ceftazidime 22 (59.4%). Of the 10 MRSA isolates that were subjected to PCR, one isolate was found to harbor the 188-bp of mecC gene whilst mecA was absent from the screened isolates. The detection of mecC MRSA in the present study highlights the diagnostic importance of screening for mecC in mecA negative MRSA. We suggest that surveillance for MRSA should include screening for mecC gene where mecA is not detected in resistant isolates. Stamford Journal of Microbiology, 2023. Vol. 13, Issue 1, p. 6-10
Magnetic properties of Sr 1.5 La 0.5 FeMoO 6-depending on the phase composition of the reaction mixture

This paper presents investigations of phase transformations during the crystallization of Sr 1.5 La 0.5 FeMoO 6-δ by the solid-phase technique from a stoichiometric mixture of oxides MoO 3 , La 2 O 3 and Fe 2 O 3 and SrCO 3 and precursors Sr 0.5 La 0.5 FeO 3 and SrMoO 4 . Using XRD and thermogravimetric analyses, the influence of synthesis modes on the chemical processes occurring during the formation of double perovskite was studied. It has been established that the synthesis of lanthanum-strontium ferromolybdate in a mixture of oxides proceeds through a number of series-parallel stages. At the initial stage of interaction, the resulting lanthanum-strontium ferromolybdate is enriched with iron and its composition changes during the reaction towards an increase in the molybdenum content. As the temperature increases, the content of double perovskite increases, and the concentration of the secondary phase SrMoO 4 does not disappear to zero until the synthesis temperature, which indicates that solid-phase reactions with the formation of a solid solution Sr 1.5 La 0.5 FeMoO 6-δ from oxides are difficult to occur. It was determined that to minimize the influence of intermediate reaction products it is necessary to use precursors Sr 0.5 La 0.5 FeO 3 and SrMoO 4 . Based on the results of studying the temperature dependences of the degree of phase transformations during the crystallization of double perovskite, combined heating modes were optimized. The use of optimized synthesis modes made it possible to obtain single-phase Sr 1.5 La 0.5 FeMoO 6-δ powder with the superstructural ordering (82%), the Curie temperature of 450 K and a magnetization value of 40.9 A · m 2 · kg -1 at T = 77 K in a magnetic field with induction B ≥ 0.86 T.