Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new methodology for processing scanner data in the Dutch CPI

This paper presents a new methodology for processing electronic transaction data and for calculating price indices, with the aim of reducing the differences across the methods used for different retailers and consumer goods in the Dutch CPI. Meaningful price indices can only be computed for homogeneously defined products. GTINs (barcodes) contain the highest degree of homogeneity. However, their use may be hampered by the occurrence of so-called ‘relaunches’. This term refers to existing items that re-enter the stores with a new GTIN. The old and new GTINs need to be linked in order to capture possible price increases after relaunches. This may be achieved through retailers’ own product codes (Stock Keeping Units), or otherwise through item characteristics. A sensitivity analysis is proposed for selecting item attributes, which quantifies the additional impact of attributes on price change. The new index method calculates price indices as a ratio of a turnover index and a weighted quantity index. The method is in fact the Geary-Khamis method applied to the time domain. Quantity weights of homogeneous products are calculated from prices and quantities of each month in the current year. The weights, which are used to calculate indices with respect to a fixed base month, are updated each month. The method does not lead to chain drift as the price indices coincide with a transitive version of the method at the end of each year. Comparisons with two weighting variants show that the results are robust. The new methodology has replaced the current sample-based method in the CPI for mobile phones in January 2016. The paper concludes with future plans with the methodology for scanner data of different retailers. JEL codes: C43, E31.
The NOTCH1-HEY1 pathway regulates self-renewal and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma cells

Our previous study demonstrated a close relationship between the NOTCH signaling pathway and salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC). Its receptor gene, NOTCH1, and its downstream gene, HES1, contribute to the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of SACC. Accumulating evidence supports HEY1 as another effector of the signaling pathway. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of the NOTCH1-HEY1 pathway on the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of SACC cells. Our results verified that HEY1 is a specific molecular target of the NOTCH signaling pathway in SACC cells and that its expression in carcinoma is much higher than that in paracarcinoma tissues. The expression of NOTCH1 and HEY1 are positively correlated in the salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma tissues. NOTCH1 is significantly related to the activation of HEY1 in SACC, and that HEY1 reciprocally regulates NOTCH1 expression in SACC. HEY1 promotes cell proliferation and spheroid formation and inhibits cell apoptosis in vitro. In addition, HEY1 enhances the tumorigenicity of SACC in vivo. Furthermore, HEY1 increases cell invasion and metastasis by driving the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes and MMPs. The results of this study indicate that the NOTCH1-HEY1 pathway is specifically upregulated in SACC and promotes cell proliferation, self-renewal, invasion, metastasis and the expression of EMT-related genes and MMPs. Our findings suggest that a NOTCH1-HEY1 pathway inhibitor might therefore have potential therapeutic applications in treating SACC patients by inhibiting cancer cell growth and metastasis.
A GPU implementation of the 1D and 2D Conservation Element / Solution Element scheme

The demand for faster and more efficient algorithms in fluid dynamics is high. The CE/SE scheme is a scheme for simulating flows, which is designed in such a way that many spatial elements can be calculated in parallel. This characteristic makes it very suitable for implementation using parallelism on GPUs. The aim of this thesis was to implement the 1D and 2D CE/SE Euler scheme on a GPU using CUDA. Next, the speed-up compared to the existing CPU algorithms was measured to determine whether it is worth converting more complicated versions of the scheme to GPU algorithms. In this study is was found that the algorithm is considerably faster on GPU than on CPU, respectively 23 times in double precision 1D and 1.5 times faster in 2D. Using single precision, GPU is 4.2 times faster in 2D. Still, by using multiple GPUs, the performance is most likely to increase even more. Therefore, the work presented in this thesis a starting point for further implementations of the CE/SE scheme on GPUs.
Computational Aeroacoustic Modelling using Hybrid RANS‐LES Methods with Modified Acoustic Analogies

This study considers a numerical approach to identifying noise mechanisms in tandem cylinders to understand aircraft landing gear as a primary contributor to airframe noise during approach and landing. Fluctuations in the flow properties induced by turbulence are computed as well as the corresponding propagations. A hybrid IDDES turbulence model is employed, to compute the boundary layer and fluctuations in the flow properties. Larsson et al. [1] modified Curle’s analogy leading to the derivation of a version of Curle’s analogy that makes use of strictly time derivatives which has been proven to be less sensitive to numerical errors. Brentner and Farassat [2] derived a formulation of the Ffowcs-Williams and Hawkings analogy for a permeable surface enclosing the acoustic sources which accounts for the quadrupole acoustic sources in the flow without the costly calculation of a volume integral. This study will consider the impact of neglecting the volume sources through a comparison of the two modified versions of Curle’s and FWH analogies with the results of other CFD practitioners as well as experimental data.
The Mediating Role of Organizational Commitment and the Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Support in the Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Job Performance of Educationists in Public Sector Institutes of Thailand

Kittisak Jermsittiparserta,b, Choo Ling Suanc, *Narentheren Kaliappend, aDepartment for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, bFaculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, cDepartment of Management and Marketing, College of Business Administration, University of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain, dSchool of International Studies, College of Law, Government & International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia, Email: kittisak.jermsittiparsert@tdtu.edu. vn, csuan@uob.edu. bh, *Corresponding Author Email: narentheren@uum.edu. my
Efficacy of Xuebijing injection in the adjunctive therapy of acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by sepsis

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by sepsis and assisted by Xuebijing injection and its effect on serum inflammatory factors. Methods: Sixty-four patients with ARDS caused by sepsis were enrolled as observation subjects, and divided by random number table (n=32) into the control group treated with ulinastatin and the study group treated with ulinastatin assisted by Xuebijing injection. Patients in the two groups were compared in terms of blood gas indexes (partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2)), inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT)), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), invasive ventilation time, intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring time, length of stay (LOS), extravascular lung water index (ELWI) and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation scoring system (APACHE-II) scores. Results: The differences in PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 before and after treatment in the study group were significantly greater than those in the control group (both P<0.05). Meanwhile, the study group had the higher differences of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, PCT and CRP before and after treatment than the control group (all P<0.05). What’s more, the differences in MAP, HR and ELWI in the study group were significantly greater than the control group (all P<0.05). The study group also showed a better improvement in APACHE II than the control group (P<0.05). Invasive ventilation time, ICU monitoring time and LOS were significantly shorter in the study group than in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, the treatment of ARDS caused by sepsis assisted by Xuebijing injection can relieve the inflammatory response of patients with the disease, reduce the release of inflammatory factors and improve blood gas levels, HR and blood pressure, as well as promote the recovery and shorten invasive ventilation time, ICU monitoring time and LOS. Hence, it is worthy of popularization and application.
Influence of Bioremedants on the Performance of Okra and Selected Properties of Soils of Ogoniland Southeastern Nigeria

The influence of bioremedants on the growth and yield of okra and physicochemical properties of soils of Ogoniland, Nigeria was assessed at the School to Land Authority Farm, Kpaa, in Khana Southeastern Nigeria. The treatments used were: poultry manure PM cow dung CD Goat dung GD, Siam weed manure and NPK. This was arranged in a randomized complete block design(RCBD) with three replicates giving a total of eighteen (18) replicates using okra as a test crop. Soil samples were collected before and after the experiment and analyzed for soil physical and chemical properties. Data collected were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance and mean separated using DMRT. Plot treated with poultry manure recorded the highest value for plant height at 4, 6 and 8 WAP (7.60, 14.40 and 18.95cm) followed by Siam weed (7.59, 14.38 and 17.93cm), NPK (7.55, 14.50 and 16.98cm), and Goat dung (7.10, 13.21 and 16.96cm). The least plant height was observed in the control (6.59, 12.23 and 15.34 cm) at 4, 6 and 8 WAP. Poultry Manure (15.48, 28.15 and 30.92 cm) had the highest leave area value at 4, 6 and 8 WAP followed by Siam weed (15.12, 27.18 and 30.90cm), cow dung (14.82, 26.58 and 30.70cm), Goat dung (14.80, 26.59 and 30.71cm) and NPK (9.66, 16.30 and 22.58cm), respectively. The least leaf area was also observed in the control (8.52, 15.02 and 19.84cm) at 4, 6 and 8 WAP. Siam weed (2.13 t /ha ) gave the highest fresh fruit yield. This was followed by Poultry Manure ((2.05 t /ha -1 ), cow dung (1.89 t /ha -1 ), Goat dung (1.69 t /ha -1 ) and NPK (1.15 t /ha -1 ), respectively. There was significant difference between NPK (1.15 t /ha -1 ), control (0.94 t /ha ) and other treatments at P<0.005. The residual effect of bioremedants on physicochemical properties of soils revealed that soil physical properties (sand, silt and clay increased from 690, 80 and 60g/kg in control to 790, 150 and 70g/kg in poultry manure. The pH (1:H2O) increased from 5.0 in control to 6.60 in poultry manure treated plot. There was also an increase in total N from 6 g/kg in control to 1.3 g/kg in cow dung. Organic carbon also increased from 0.6 g/kg in control to 14.6 g/kg in poultry manure treated plot. There was also a decrease in available P in goat dung treated plot from 81.08 Mg/Kg -1 to 62.00 Mg/Kg -1 . Exchangeable basis increased across treatments except Na (0.62 cmol/kg) in the control plot. The result showed that application of poultry manure as bioremedants at 5 t /ha -1 produced the best growth and yield parameters and improved physicochemical properties of soils followed by Siam weed. It therefore recommended that the used of poultry manure and Siam weed as a bioremedant in acid soil of OgoniLand, Southeastern Nigeria be adopted.
Serum vitamin D level as a predictor of bronchial asthma in Egyptian children

Background/Aim This study was designed to assess the relationship between the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and the clinical, functional severity and the level of asthma control among Egyptian asthmatic children. Patients and methods This case-control cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 asthmatic patients from those regularly attending the Pediatric Chest Clinic, Children's Hospital, Ain Shams University. Twenty healthy children of matched age and sex were recruited as the control group. Results Pulmonary function tests were significantly decreased in the asthmatic cases compared with the control ( P P 25 ng/ml and ≤30 ng/ml and were considered to be 'vitamin D insufficient'. The asthmatic children had a highly significant increase in the total leukocytic count, the eosinophilic count, serum immunoglobulin E, and serum alkaline phosphatase ( P P r = 0.871, P r = −0.589, P r = 0.903, P r = 0.923, P < 0.001), classified according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) classification. The accuracy of vitamin D as a predictor of asthma was found to be 88% by automatic linear modeling. Conclusion Our results revealed an important support for the association between bronchial asthma in children and vitamin D deficiency, with a direct relationship between its serum level and pulmonary function test measures and the increased asthma severity. Vitamin D deficiency can be considered as a strong predictor of asthma. Improving the vitamin D status can help in the primary prevention of asthma and in decreasing exacerbations of attacks. Clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation to prevent asthma exacerbation are recommended.
The SHiP Collaboration

We propose to build and operate a detector that, for the first time, will measure the process pp → νX at the LHC and search for feebly interacting particles (FIPs) in an unexplored domain. The TI18 tunnel has been identified as a suitable site to perform these measurements due to very low machine-induced background. The detector will be off-axis with respect to the ATLAS interaction point (IP1) and, given the pseudo-rapidity range accessible, the corresponding neutrinos will mostly come from charm decays: the proposed experiment will thus make the first test of the heavy flavour production in a pseudo-rapidity range that is not accessible by the current LHC detectors. In order to efficiently reconstruct neutrino interactions and identify their flavour, the detector will combine in the target region nuclear emulsion technology with scintillating fibre tracking layers and it will adopt a muon identification system based on scintillating bars that will also play the role of a hadronic calorimeter. The time of flight measurement will be achieved thanks to a dedicated timing detector. The detector will be a small-scale prototype of the scattering and neutrino detector (SND) of the SHiP experiment: the operation of this detector will provide an important test of the neutrino reconstruction in a high occupancy environment. ar X iv :2 00 2. 08 72 2v 1 [ ph ys ic s. in sde t] 2 0 Fe b 20 20
The impact of quality-related business trainings in Latin America

This paper assesses the impact of quality-related business trainings on firm certification and export status, using panel data on 14 Latin American countries for 2006 and 2010. Using a rich set of firm level controls, we apply a difference-in-difference regression specification and propensity score matching to check the robustness of the results. Findings indicate that quality-related trainings help firms gain and retain internationally recognised quality certificates (IRQC). Furthermore, our results show that these trainings help firms transition from non-exporter to exporter status as well as to retain their exporter status in case they already export. Trainings also resulted in annual sales and employment growth, although no rise in exports, productivity or capacity utilization was detected. Interestingly, the magnitude of these benefits increases with the size of the firm. This may be related to absorptive capacities, which may hinder SMEs ability to apply the knowledge they have gained through the trainings. The last finding points to the need of complementary policies to ensure SMEs reap the full benefits of quality-related trainings.
IN- SERVICE MATHEMATICS TEACHER’S MATHEMATICAL KNOWLEDGE FOR TEACHING: A CASE OF VOLUME OF PRISM

The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate in-service mathematics teachers’ knowledge of elementary students’ solution strategies and students’ difficulties in calculating the volume of a prism. Data were collected from four inservice elementary mathematics teachers in Turkey during 2011-2012 academic year. Two questions involving students’ solutions on calculating the volume of a prism were served as the data source. The findings revealed that although teachers had knowledge of identifying students’ incorrect solution strategy, their knowledge of explaining students’ different solution strategies was limited. Moreover, teachers are able to determine students’ difficulties which is account for their mistake.
GSM Based Energy Meter Reading System with Remote Cut-Off and GUI Application

: The technology of e-metering (Electronic Metering) has gone through rapid technological advancements and there is increased demand for a reliable and efficient Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system. This paper presents the design of a simple low cost wireless GSM energy meter and its associated web interface, for automating billing and managing the collected data globally. The proposed system replaces traditional meter reading methods and enables remote access of existing energy meter by the energy provider. Also they can monitor the meter readings regularly without the person visiting each house. A GSM based wireless communication module disintegrated with electronic energy meter of each entity to have remote access over the usage of electricity. A PC with a GSM receiver at the other end, which contains the database acts as the billing point. Live meter reading from the GSM enabled energy meter is sent back to this billing point periodically and these details are updated in a central database. With proper authentication, users can access the developed web page details from anywhere in the world. The complete monthly usage and due bill is messaged back to the customer after processing these data.
Silencing of microRNA-340 promotes the odontogenic differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells through upregulating BMP4

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the specific roles of microRNA-340 (miR-340) on the odontogenic differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and reveal the potential regulatory mechanisms relating with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4). Methods: Rat iPSCs were induced with 50 ng/mL BMP4, and transfected with siRNA-BMP4 (si-BMP4), miR-340 mimic, and miR-340 inhibitor, respectively. The odontogenic differentiation of iPSCs was detected by Alizarin red S staining. The expression of BMP4, ameloblastin (AMBN) and dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP-1) in iPSCs was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence. The interaction between BMP4 and miR-340 was identified by dual luciferase reporter gene (DLR) assay. Results: The intervention of BMP4, and si-BMP4 significantly upregulated, and downregulated AMBN and DMP-1 in iPSCs, repectively. The tranfection of miR-340 inhibitor significantly increased the percentage of positive stained cells, as well as the expression of BMP4, AMBN and DMP-1 in iPSCs (P < 0.05). The tranfection of miR-340 mimic significantly decreased the percentage of positive stained cells in BMP4 group (P < 0.05). In addition, BMP4 was identified as a target of miR-340. MiR-340 inhibitor significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of si-BMP4 on the expression of AMBN and DMP-1 in iPSCs. Conclusions: Silencing of miR-340 promoted the odontogenic differentiation of iPSCs through upregulating BMP4.
Acute pancreatitis developed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a case report and literature review

The goal of this study was to reveal a rare complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Herein, a case is presented of a 16-year-old female patient, who developed acute pancreatitis after allo-HSCT, presenting with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Laboratory evaluation showed marked elevated serum amylase and computed tomography scan confirmed the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. To observe the patient’s clinical characteristics, potential etiology for this patient was analyzed. Some specific medicines might be the cause of acute pancreatitis after transplantation, such as cyclosporin A and tigecycline in this case. Patients suspected to have pancreatitis should consider discontinuing the administration of tigecycline and cyclosporin A and at the same time, monitor the concentration of patients’ blood glucose, blood calcium, amylase and their abdominal pain symptoms. An awareness of this circumstance is crucial for the hematologic transplantation doctors and the approach to prevent acute pancreatitis is also needed, as well as exploring the pathogenic mechanism of this complication.
Terminological synonyms in Czech and English sports terminologies

The following paper deals with the concept and typology of terminological synonyms in English and Czech, focusing on the official sport terms codified in English and/or Czech dictionaries. The analysis focuses on Anglicisms as terminological doublets, hyposynonyms, stylistic synonyms, and false friends. Results show that a high number of synonyms were generated by the process of transshaping or translating English terms into Czech. Our analysis suggests that there may be found three types of sports synonyms in English (real, quasi-, and pseudosynonyms) and four main types in Czech (terminological doublets, Anglicisms as hyposynonyms, false friends, and stylistic synonyms). The use of synonyms is even more evident in modern or newly created sports; mass media and the accessibility of data through the Internet playing an essential role as they mediate an immense input of information to the target population.
The Influence of Atmospheric Experience on Theme Park Tourist’s Satisfaction and Loyalty in Malaysia

Understanding atmospheric experiences is crucial in identifying the most satisfying factors that generate visitor loyalty. The main objective of this study is to describe and explain the atmospheric construct (ambience, interaction, and design); the construct of satisfaction and the construct of visitor loyalty. This study will be focusing on selected theme parks which are from southern, central, and northern Malaysia. This study focuses on what types of atmospheric experiences emotionally touch visitors at theme parks, especially the difference between Malaysian and Non-Malaysian visitors. The research data is based on the visitor visiting the prospective theme park. The outcome of this study will be a source of information for theme park management to enhance their understanding of the main contributors of visitor loyalty and to allow them to increase the quality of their services by creating a positive image of the theme park.
The Effect of Financial Development on Income Inequality in Africa

This paper investigates the effect of financial development on income inequality in 20 African countries. Theory and a growing number of empirical studies suggest that the former exerts a negative impact on the latter by enabling low-income holders to undertake income-enhancing education and business investments, thereby promoting a tighter income distribution. However, using the share of GDP constituted by domestic credit to the private sector and broad money respectively as proxies for financial development, the results of this study fail to give significant evidence of this income-equalising effect. Given the heterogeneous nature of the economies studied here and the fact that data quality and quantity improve over time, it is believed that country-specific studies and future research can offer more conclusive results on how financial development influences income distribution in the African context. This would also provide a stronger foundation for policy recommendations in the continent’s plight to address the persistent high levels of income inequality.