Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of chlorine chemistry combined with heterogeneous N2O5 reactions on air quality in China

Abstract. The heterogeneous reaction of N2O5 on Cl-containing aerosols (N2O5 − ClNO2 chemistry) plays a key role in chlorine activation, NOx recycling and consequently O3 formation. In this study, we use the GEOS-Chem model with additional anthropogenic and biomass burning chlorine emissions combined with updated parameterizations for N2O5 − ClNO2 chemistry (i.e. the uptake coefficient of N2O5 (γN2O5) and the ClNO2 yield (φClNO2)) to investigate the impacts of chlorine chemistry on air quality in China, the role of N2O5 − ClNO2 chemistry, as well as their sensitivities to chlorine emissions and parameterizations for γN2O5 and φClNO2. The model evaluation with multiple data sets observed across China demonstrated significant improvement especially regarding the simulation of Cl−, N2O5 and ClNO2 with the updates in chlorine emissions and N2O5 − ClNO2 chemistry. Total tropospheric chlorine chemistry could increase annual mean MDA8 O3 by up to 4.5 ppbv but decrease PM2.5 by up to 7.9 μg m−3 in China, 83 % and 90 % of which could be attributed to the effect of N2O5 – ClNO2 chemistry. The heterogeneous uptake of N2O5 on chloride-containing aerosol surfaces is an important loss pathway of N2O5 as well as a important source of O3, and hence is particularly useful in elucidating the commonly seen ozone underestimations. The importance of chlorine chemistry largely depends on both chlorine emissions and the parameterizations for N2O5 – ClNO2 chemistry. With the additional chlorine emissions annual mean maximum daily 8-hour average (MDA8) O3 in China could be increased by up to 3.5 ppbv. The corresponding effect on PM2.5 concentrations varies largely with regions, with an increase of up to 4.5 μg m−3 in the North China Plain but a decrease of up to 3.7 μg m−3 in the Sichuan Basin. On the other hand, even with the same chlorine emissions, the effects on MDA8 O3 and PM2.5 in China could differ by 48 % and 27 %, respectively between different parameterizations.
Genetic diversity assessment of ancient mulberry (Morus spp.) in Lebanon using morphological, chemical and molecular markers (SSR and ISSR)

Lebanon has ancient mulberry trees which are the remnants of the abundant orchards that dominated its lands during the nineteenth century. Lebanese mulberry germplasm has not been assessed yet. This study aims to collect local old rainfed mulberry accessions from different geographical regions and assess their diversity by using morphological and molecular markers (SSR and ISSR). Genetic diversity of 70 accessions of mulberry were evaluated by using 27 morphological traits. The dendrogram based on the morphological attributes showed a relative separation of the different accessions based on fruits color and taste. Molecular analysis was performed for the accessions by using selected SSR and ISSR primers. The primers marked a high discriminating power (0.7 to 0.89). The dendrogram constructed on the base of UPGMA method showed 13 different groups. The clustering patterns indicated no location nor local name specificity among mulberry accessions. The combination of SSR and ISSR primers was informative for estimating the extent of mulberry genetic diversity. It can be concluded that there is a high level of genetic diversity within mulberry trees in Lebanon. These results will be useful for mulberry germplasm management in terms of biodiversity protection and as a valuable source of gene pool for crop improvement.
Do Firm and Bank Level Characteristics Matter for Lending to Firms during the Financial Crisis?

Purpose – This paper explores the determinants of bank lending to firms during and after the global financial crisis using firm- and bank-level data to answer the questions what caused the contraction of lending to firms despite the loosening monetary policy during this crisis period. Research design, data, and methodology – We investigate the effects of the monetary policy that followed the global financial crisis on firms borrowing. We use a dynamic panel model to address how firms lending respond to monetary policy. The data are obtained from CRETOP and we consider the manufacturing sector for the analysis to control for unobserved heterogeneity such as industry-specific shocks. Results – The findings from the empirical analysis suggest that both bank- and firm-level characteristics are significant determinants of bank lending. Especially, we find that corporate risk, measured by default risk, is one of the key factors that led to a decline in lending during the crisis. Conclusions – This paper shows that companies borrow more from liquid banks, and high bank capital can also contribute to an increase in a firm’s borrowing from banks. Especially, the results confirm that the default rate measured at the firm level has increased during and after the global financial crisis, which implies that default risk interplays with other firm and bank-level characteristics.
Probabilistic Topology Control in Wireless Sensor Networks

For a wide spectrum of applications, the wireless sensor network (WSN) technology exhibited revolutionary advantages when compared to traditional solutions. Among all the energy-saving and network throughput improvement schemes, topology control has been well recognized as an effective one. In traditional topology control, a wireless network is represented using the deterministic model that assumes a pair of nodes is either connected or disconnected. Rich empirical studies have shown that in most practical environments, lossy links of intermittent connections account the dominating majority of WSNs because various reasons.By successfully leveraging these lossy links, higher energy-efficiency and network capacities are feasible. By traditional approaches, however, WSN topologies can hardly be well characterized. Motivated by this, we in this book discuss a new model call probabilistic topology control, fully taking the lossy links into account. We prove that in general PTC is a NP-hard problem. Based PTC we propose two algorithms CONREAP and BRASP, and one routing algorithm. Analysis and experimental results showed that these algorithms are very effectively.
Oil Spill Detection Based on Deep Convolutional Neural Networks Using Polarimetric Scattering Information From Sentinel-1 SAR Images

Oil spill accidents can cause severe ecological disasters; hence, the timely and effective detection of oil spills on the marine surface is of great significance. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is very suitable for large-scale oil spill monitoring. As a more advanced form of SAR, polarimetric SAR (PolSAR) can provide more scattering information of land objects, which can help to improve the accuracy of oil spill detection. However, the current studies of oil spill detection by SAR data have mainly focused on using SAR intensity or amplitude information, and the phase information and other polarimetric information have not been fully utilized. To solve this problem, using Sentinel-1 dual-polarimetric images as the data source, this article presents an intelligent oil spill detection architecture based on a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN), in which both the amplitude information and phase information are utilized. Furthermore, to improve the feature discrimination capability, the Cloude polarimetric decomposition parameters are also integrated into the proposed model. The results show that the improved DeepLabv3+ model, which takes ResNet-101 as the backbone network and group normalization (GN) as the normalization layer, can achieve superior performance than those traditional methods. Moreover, the model is better able to capture the fine details of oil spill instances and can achieve fine-scale segmentation.
Seismic response of base isolated buildings including p‐Δ effects of isolation bearings

In order to achieve a low isolation frequency, elastomeric bearings used for base isolation of buildings usually have low shear rigidity which leads to a significant reduction in the buckling load. The effects of compression load on the bearing behaviour are therefore an important consideration. A study of seismic response of base isolated buildings is presented in this paper, fully accounting for the P-Δ effects of isolation bearings. An analytical procedure is formulated that treats separately the superstructure and the supporting bearings and assembles the governing equations via the interaction forces at the base deck. The resulting equations are then solved step-by-step numerically. Numerical results obtained for a base isolated five-storey shear building show that neglecting the P-Δ effects can lead to considerable errors in the computed seismic response when the buckling safety factor of bearings is low.
PENGARUH KETERSEDIAAN ANGGARAN DAN JIWA KEWIRAUSAHAAN TERHADAP KINERJA PELAYANAN APARATUR SKPD DI KABUPATEN ACEH UTARA

As to this watchfulness aim is to gets description about phenomenon supported by empirical proof and has been found clarity with conclusion about influence from the budget availability and Entrepreneurship towards performance civil servants service SKPD At North Aceh. This research is supposed can give contribution for order government governance and performance civil servants. This research is supposed can give contribution for organization theory development and management theory HRD, especially about order government governance and performance civil servants. Watchfulness uses technique proporsionale stratistified random sampling, with sample total as much as 60 respondents. As to analysis method used, using verification method. While analysis used to be path analysis. Watchfulness result shows quantity direct influence total and not direct from from variable: the budget availability and Entrepreneurship towards performance civil servants service area at North Aceh as big as 39,35 percents. Keyword: the budget availability, Entrepreneurship, performance civil servants.
DIFFERENCES OF APOLIPOPROTEIN A1 AND APOLIPOPROTEIN B LEVELS IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS (T2DM) PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC RETINOPATHY AND WITHOUT DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Introduction Apolipoprotein A1 are antiatherogenic in blood serum and have an anti-inflammatory while Apolipoprotein B describes a protein structure that is potentially atherogenic. Meanwhile, the inflammatory process plays a role in the diabetic retinopathy process. The aim of this study was to determine whether there were differences in the levels of apolipoprotein A1 and B in diabetic retinopathy patients and without diabetic retinopathy. Methods: This study used a cross sectional design. The subjects of this study were type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic retinopathy and without diabetic retinopathy at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital from July to September 2020. Subjects consisted of 32 patients in the group with diabetic retinopathy and 31 patients without diabetic retinopathy. The levels of apolipoprotein A1 and apolipoprotein B were analyzed using independent T test. The factors affecting apolipoprotein A1 and apolipoprotein B were analyzed using multiple regression tests. Result: There were no significant differences (p> 0.05) in age, gender, duration of diabetes, HDL, triglycerides, HbA1c, BMI, physical activity, and smoking history. The mean apolipoprotein A1 level in the diabetic retinopathy group was 1.46 ± 0.177 mg / dL higher than the non-diabetic retinopathy group, namely 1.44 ± 0.27 mg / dL (p = 0.699). The mean level of apolipoprotein B in the diabetic retinopathy group was 1.26 ± 0.289 mg / dl higher than the non-diabetic retinopathy group 1.01 ± 0.26 mg / dL (p = 0.001). The mean LDL levels were 162.5 ± 48.38 mmol / L in the diabetic retinopathy group and 127 ± 38.45 mmol / L in the group without diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.012). Conclusion: Apolipoprotein B levels were found to be higher in the group with diabetic retinopathy than in the group without diabetic retinopathy and there was a significant difference between the two assumed due to an atherogenic process in the diabetic retinopathy group. Further research is needed to assess the causal relationship between elevated levels of Apo B and the incidence of diabetic retinopathy by calculating the ratio of apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A1. Keywords: Apolipoprotein A1, Apolipoprotein B, Diabetic Retinopathy
Visocelastic shear responses of the cadaver and Hybrid III lumbar spine

Due to the scarsity of cadaver lumbar shear stiffness data, tests on functional lumbar spinal units and a complete lumbar section (T12-L5) were done in both the anterior and posterior directions. Similar tests were performed on the Hybrid III lumbar spine for comparison. Sixteen lumbar motion segments were tested quasi-statically for their viscoelastic properties in a multi-directional (5-axis) spine machine. A hydraulic testing machine was used to carry out dynamic tests including cyclic tests and relaxation tests. In the quasi-static tests the shear response was linear and the anterior stiffness (155 about 90 N/mm) was found to be higher than posterior stiffness (104 about 38 N/mm). In the relaxation tests the load decreased to approximately 60% of its peak value after 30 seconds. Moderate non-linearity was observed in cyclic loading with shear stiffness up to 750 N/mm, depending on the loading rate. Soft tissue only failures occurred in the unconstrained tests at 1290 N (0.5 mm/sec) and 1770 N (50 mm/sec) for anterior loading. Anterior constrained testing failures involved hard tissue at 2800 N and were not rate dependent. The Hybrid III spine elicited higher initial stiffness than cadaver specimens, but was comparable at shear loads greater than 500 N. It also had considerably greater hysteresis than cadaver specimens. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 879189.
Survey of construction lawyers' attitudes and practice in the use of ADR in contractors' disputes

Continuing a survey of contractors' perceptions about alternative dispute resolution (ADR) this paper seeks to report an investigation of the level of involvement of legal advisors to the construction industry in the dispute resolution process and the perceptions that legal professionals have about the use of ADR in construction disputes. The research findings are that contractors are likely to involve lawyers in the dispute resolution procedure, particularly when disputes concern a legal issue, when the parties to the dispute are entrenched in their argument, or when the other party insists on using legal professional assistance. In these defined circumstances, legal advisors will be influential in determining the potential use of ADR. The paper concludes that lawyers are unlikely to recommend ADR for most disputes between contractors, particularly if the dispute resolution process is perceived to involve the use of delay by main contractors, if the parties are fixed in their arguments or if they are exhibiting adversarial behaviour in their approach to the dispute. In these circumstances lawyers and their clients prefer the force of the formal systems over conciliatory ADR procedures.
Stress–Strain Behaviour of Reparable Composite Panel with Step-Variable Thickness

There is an urgent problem of finding an economically viable method of maintenance and restoration of the bearing capacity of structures of various applications. Repair of structures with patches made of polymeric composite materials is one of the most promising repair technologies. However, an improper choice of parameters of the composite patch leads to unjustified increase in the structure mass and the cost of its further operation. These situations result from the lack of reliable methods for developing the repair process, which take into account the influence of the patch geometry and conditions for performance of repair works on the bearing capacity of the repaired structure. The mathematical model of the reparable composite shell–type panel taking into account inhomogeneity of transverse shear deformations at stepped variation of its thickness has been developed. In contrast to the classical theory of layered shells, the model allows simplifying a three-dimensional problem by setting of the displacement field on the layers’ interfaces and their linear interpolation over thickness of the panel, as well as considering the transverse shear deformations resulting from the strength, temperature, or shrinkage loading. According to results, the maximum rise in stresses in the case of a notched panel occurs in the weakened layer, and it is from this layer the failure of the structure will start. In the event of the patch, the panel surface opposite the reinforcement is the most loaded (i.e., susceptible to failure) surface. To confirm the reliability of the developed model, we compared the analytical calculations with the results of experimental and numerical studies of the deformed state of a panel of step–variable thickness by the method of holographic interferometry and modelling by the finite element method. Displacement fields available from experiments correspond to the predicted theoretical results. The resulting maximum error does not exceed 7%. The data obtained during numerical modelling allowed us to conclude that the accuracy of theoretical calculations is sufficient for engineering practice. Results of the work can be used to solve the practical problems such as determination of stress–strain behaviour of a damaged structure or structure after repair, specification of the permissible delamination dimensions, and defining of parameters of the bonded repair process.
Relationship between Budget Deficit and Economic Growth: Evidence from Ethiopia

This study examined the relationship between budget deficit and economic growth in Ethiopia using time series data for the period 1991 to 2019 by applying the ARDL bounds testing approach. The empirical results indicate that budget deficit and economic growth in Ethiopia have a negative relationship in the long run, and have a weak positive association in the short run. In line with this, in the long run, a one percent increase in the budget deficit causes a 1.43 percent decline in the economic growth of the country. This result is consistent with the neoclassical view which says budget deficits are bad for economic growth during stimulating periods. Moreover, in the long run, the variables trade openness and inflation have a positive impact on Ethiopian economic growth, and on the other hand, the economic growth of Ethiopia is negatively affected by the nominal exchange rate in the long run. Apart from this, in the long run, gross capital formation and lending interest rates have no significant impact on the economic growth of the country. Therefore, the study recommends the government should manage its expenditure and mobilize the resources to generate more revenue to address the negative impact of the budget deficit on economic growth.
GENERIC FRAMEWORK FOR TQM IMPLEMENTATION WITHIN SAUDI CONTEXT: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

working papers are produced by the Bradford University School of Management and are to be circulated for discussion purposes only. Their contents should be considered to be preliminary. The papers are expected to be published in due course, in a revised form and should not be quoted without the author's permission. ABSTRACT This paper represents an exploratory study of TQM implementation in a Saudi context. The intention of this study was to thoroughly examine the TQM implementation experience of a group of high-performing TQM organisations in Saudi Arabia as reflected in the thinking of their top or TQM managers to identify the key quality factors for effective TQM implementation in Saudi Arabia-based organisations. The central objective of this paper is to develop a generic TQM model for organisations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Heart function assessment during aging in apolipoprotein E knock-out mice

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein (apo) E isoforms have strong correlations with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. However, it is not clear if apoE has a role in development of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Our study aims to analyze the involvement of apoE in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serial echo-cardiographic measurements were performed in old wildtype and apoE deficient (apoE-/-) mice. Morphological and functional cardiac parameters were in normal range in both groups at the age of 12 month. At the age of 18 months, both groups had shown ventricular dilation and increased heart rates. However, the apoE-/- mice presented signs of diastolic dysfunction by hypertrophic changes in left ventricle, due probably to arterial hypertension. The right ventricle was not affected by age or genotype. CONCLUSION: Even in the absence of high fat diet, apoE deficiency in mice induces mild changes in the cardiac function of the left ventricle during aging, by developing diastolic dysfunction, which leads to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. However, further studies are necessary to conclude over the role of apoE in cardiac physiology and its involvement in development of heart failure.
Tetanus Toxoid Vaccination Coverage and Associated Factors among Childbearing Women in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Tetanus is a bacterial disease caused by the Clostridium tetani, which is a highly fatal, noncommunicable, and toxin-mediated disease. Globally, maternal and neonatal tetanus is a public health problem due to low maternal tetanus toxoid immunization. Ethiopia has the highest neonatal mortality and morbidity related to tetanus due to low tetanus toxoid immunization and the high number of home deliveries. The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the pooled coverage of at least two doses of tetanus toxoid immunization, and the pooled effect sizes of associated factors in Ethiopia. Methods Primary studies for this review were searched from the PubMed/MEDLINE online, ScienceDirect, Hinari, Google, and Google Scholar databases. Primary articles published from 2010 up to August 30, 2020, were included in this meta-analysis. Data were extracted in Microsoft Excel format and exported to STATA Version 14.0. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to estimate the pooled coverage of two or more tetanus toxoid immunizations and its associated factors. Heterogeneity was evaluated by the I2 test. Egger's weighted regression test was used to assess publication bias. Results We retrieved 212 records; of these, 199 articles were excluded for reasons. Finally, 14 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of receiving at least two doses of tetanus toxoid immunization coverage in Ethiopia was 52.2% (95% CI: 42.47-61.93, I2 = 98.4%). Antenatal care (OR = 7.8 (95% CI: 3.2, 19.2), I2 = 96.3%), media exposure (OR = 8.3 (95% CI: 2.1, 33.3), I2 = 98.1%), distance from the health facility (OR = 2.64 (95% CI: 1.1, 6.6), I2 = 94.1%), educational status of women (OR = 4.7 (95% CI: 2.07, 9.56), I2 = 94.2%), and educational status of husbands (OR = 2.995 (95% CI: 1.194, 7.512), I2 = 92.5%) were factors significantly associated with receiving at least two doses of tetanus toxoid immunization coverage in Ethiopia. Conclusions The coverage of tetanus toxoid immunization among childbearing women was low in Ethiopia. Strengthening maternal health service utilization (antinatal care and institutional delivery) to the nearest health facility even in health posts and empowering education for both women and their husbands is recommended to increase tetanus toxoid immunization coverage in Ethiopia.