Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Directed Graph and Variable Selection in Large Vector Autoregressive Models

We represent the dynamic relation among variables in vector autoregressive (VAR) models as directed graphs. Based on these graphs, we identify so-called strongly connected components (SCCs). Using this graphical representation, we consider the problem of variable selection. We use the relations among the strongly connected components to select variables that need to be included in a VAR if interest is in forecasting or impulse response analysis of a given set of variables. We show that the set of selected variables from the graphical method coincides with the set of variables that is multi-step causal for the variables of interest by relating the paths in the graph to the coefficients of the ‘direct’ VAR representation. Empirical applications illustrate the usefulness of the suggested approach: Including the selected variables into a small US monetary VAR is useful for impulse response analysis as it avoids the well-known ‘price-puzzle’. We also find that including the selected variables into VARs typically improves forecasting accuracy at short horizons.
Shear strengthening of thick concrete slabs accounting for loading during strengthening

In order to investigate the effect of the serviceshear load at the time of strengthening a thick slab using bonded transverse reinforcing bars, an experimental study has been carried out.Five (5)beams representing slices of a thick slab were tested to induce different shear load levels in the beamsat the time of strengthening then loaded up to shear failure. Tests were conducted on a slab without shear reinforcement and the others on slabs strengthened at two different load levels at the time of strengthening. The added shear reinforcement was distributed according to two different longitudinal spacings. The results show that,even in the presence of usual service loads, the shear strengthening of thick slabs with bondedbars offers a considerable increase in shear capacity compared to a thick slab without shear reinforcement.
Gooool: motivation drivers of attitudinal and behavioral fan loyalty in Brazil

Objective: Football is the predominant sport in Brazil, but a better understanding of what motivates non-football and football fans is needed.Method: A conceptual model is empirically tested of the effects of six motivational drivers-Interest in Team, Socialisation, Aesthetics, Sport Knowledge, Interest in Sport, Vicarious Achievement-on both attitudinal and behavioural fan loyalty using survey data from 483 Brazilian sports fans.Originality/Relevance: a theoretical gap exists as to understanding the unique motivations for Brazilian fan loyalty (Wang, Zhang, Tsuji, 2011) and what drives Brazilian fans to attitudinally commit to a team and exhibit fan-related behaviours, such as attending matches and buying team merchandise.Results: fans of both football and other sports in Brazil share some underlying motivational drivers of attitudinal loyalty and behavioural loyalty. They also indicate that some differences exist across the motivational drivers of attitudinal and behavioural fan loyalty.Theoretical/methodological contributions: Results from this study support previous research into the influence of motivations on attitudinal loyalty and behavioural loyalty and offer insights into the direct influence of different motivations on attitudinal loyalty and behavioural loyalty.Social/management contributions: these findings will assist sports-marketing practitioners of sports competing with football in Brazil to formulate more effective, fan-centric marketing-communication strategies leading to a larger loyal fan base.
Clinico-radiological profile and outcome of patients undergoing intercostal tube drainage in a tertiary care hospital in West Bengal, India

Introduction: Evacuation of empyema which was first performed centuries ago, marked the beginning of thoracic drainage. The subsequent acquisition of a greater knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the pleural space directed the design of thoracic catheters and drainage systems and the development of the methods by which they are used. Thoracic drainage systems are designed to remove air and liquids from the pleural space or mediastinum, which collect there as a result of injury, disease, or surgical procedures. Method: A total of 100 patients who underwent intercostal tube drainage due to various etiologies are followed up for 3 months in the study Results: In this study it was observed that pneumothorax (67%) as the most common indication for chest drain insertion followed by hydro-pneumothorax. During this period 100 patients of different pathologies related to chest underwent chest intubations. Amongst them 88(88%) were male and 12(12%) were female. Subcutaneous emphysema was found to be the most common complication followed by ICD tube blockage. Among the study population 95% patients were successfully treated & unsuccessful outcome was only 5%. Conclusion: Chest tube insertion is a common procedure usually done for the purpose of draining accumulated air or fluid in the pleural cavity. Small-bore chest tubes (≤14F) are generally recommended as the first-line therapy for spontaneous pneumothorax in non-ventilated patients and pleural effusions in general. Large-bore chest drains may be useful for very large air leaks, as well as post-ineffective trial with small-bore drains.
Deploying Creative Thinking to Strengthen Entrepreneurial Capability Among University Students in Nigeria

Most of the students studying entrepreneurship in Nigerian universities lack entrepreneurial capability- that is, they lack the freedom to pursue and achieve entrepreneurial opportunity. Freedom is seen here in terms of those conditions that must be in place for students to be able to carry out their entrepreneurship studies. These are conditions that support the well-being of the students and may be seen as having good shelter, being well nourished, being healthy, being able to do their normal studies among others. The paper examined why the presence of these conditions is likely to assist students to improve their creative thinking and strengthen their entrepreneurial capability. It explored Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach, focusing on freedom, opportunities, and functionings to explain the required favourable conditions that make learning worthwhile for students, and how it accounts for students’ ability to strengthen their entrepreneurial capability. The paper argued for the deployment of creative thinking to strengthen entrepreneurial capability among students of entrepreneurship in universities in Nigeria. It concluded by urging universities in Nigeria to adopt relevant curriculum in addition to providing students with a decent learning environment to enable them to develop creative thinking that could be used in entrepreneurship education.
EXPLORING TRUST IN TSUNAMI EVACUATION DECISION: AN INITIAL STUDY

This initial study explores the importance of trust in Aceh tsunami evacuation. Drawing upon the cultural theory as theoretical basis, this research classifies people in Aceh based on their trust level and identifies the significant factors influencing them to trust to different sources during tsunami. To accomplish the goals, an offline survey to 62 respondents in Aceh who experienced tsunami was conducted. From this survey, it found that most of respondents tend to be more trust to their self (individualist) and family/neighbor (egalitarian) than trust to government (hierarchy) and religious leader (traditional). On the other hand, (1) self-efficacy, (2) evacuation knowledge and (3) trust level to non-government people are indicated as the significant factors influencing people to trust in different sources during tsunami evacuation. This initial result will be benefit to develop a predictive model of trust using Agent-based model and simulation (ABMS) for the further research. Keyword: Behavioral Operations Research, Evacuation Decision, Cultural Theory, Agentbased Model and Simulation (ABMS). Abstrak Studi pendahuluan ini mengeksplorasi pentingnya perilaku kepercayaan dalam evakuasi tsunami di Aceh. Dengan mengacu pada teori budaya, penelitian ini mengklasifikasikan orang-orang di Aceh berdasarkan tingkat kepercayaan dan mengidentifikasi faktor-faktor yang signifikan yang memengaruhi mereka untuk percaya pada beberapa sumber informasi selama tsunami terjadi. Untuk mencapai tujuan tersebut, survei offline kepada 62 responden di Aceh yang pernah mengalami tsunami dilakukan. Dari survei ini, ditemukan bahwa sebagian besar responden cenderung lebih percaya pada kemampuan mereka sendiri (individualis) dan keluarga/tetangga terdekat (egaliter) daripada kepada pemerintah (hierarki) dan pemimpin agama (tradisional). Di sisi lain, (1) tingkat kepercayaan diri, (2) pengetahuan mengenai evakuasi dan (3) tingkat kepercayaan kepada orang-orang non-pemerintah diindikasikan sebagai faktor signifikan yang memengaruhi orang di Aceh untuk percaya pada sumber informasi yang berbeda selama evakuasi tsunami. Hasil studi pendahuluan ini nantinya akan digunakan untuk mengembangkan model prediksi kepercayaan masyarakat di Aceh selama tsunami menggunakan Agent-based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS) untuk penelitian selanjutnya. Kata Kuci: Behavioural Operations Research, Keputusan Evakuasi, Teori Budaya, Agentbased Modeling and Simulation (ABMS).
NUTRITIONAL STUDIES ON SOME DIFFERENT SOURCES AND LEVELS OF IODINE ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE, RUMINAL FERMENTATION AND BLOOD CONSTITUENTS OF BUFFALO. 3-EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF IODINE ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BUFFALO CALVES.

Twenty buffalo calves of 10-month of age and an average initial live body weight (LBW) 235 kg were chosen and divided into five similar groups (4 animals in each), based on their LBW. Animals were used in 220days randomized complete block design for feeding trial. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding rations contained different levels from iodine (I) on productive performance of fattening buffalo calves. Concentrate feed mixture (CFM), berseem hay (BH) and rice straw (RS) were given to animals as a control ration (I0) without supplementation, while the other groups I1 , I2, I3 and I4, received the control ration supplemented with iodine at the levels of 0.5, 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00 mg I per kg DM intake/h/d, respectively. Five digestibility trials were carried out to determine the digestibility coefficient and nutritive values of experimental rations. Blood samples were collected from all animals at 4 hrs post feeding to measure some blood parameters. Results obtained could be summarized as follows: 1Supplementing buffaloes ration with different levels of I improved the digestibility coefficient of all nutrients shown the adding 2 mg I was the best. TDN were 62.22, 64.99, 67.68, 69.71 and 72.64% for I0, I1, I2, I3 and I4 respectively; the respective values of DCP were 7.01, 7.99, 8.59, 9.25 and 10.00% at the same treatments. 2Average daily gain were 960, 1045, 1105, 1156 and 1270 gm/h for animals feed I0, I1, I2, I3 and I4 respectively, showing the best daily gain with animals feed 2 mg I/kg DMI (I4). 3Animals fed ration I4 were the best feed conversion expressed as kg DM, TDN and DCP per kg gain, being 4.96, 3.61, and 0. 50 kg, respectively. 4Also, animals fed I4 appeared to the best economical efficiency (1.91) with the lowest feed cost/kg gain (12.02 LE). 5Iodine supplementation significant improved the blood contents of RBC, WBC, Hb, PCV, total protein, globulin, glucose, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4). Generally, it could be concluded that I supplementation for ration of growing Egyptian buffalo calves considerably improved nutrients digestibilities, nutritive values and economic efficiencies, showing the level with 2 mg I/kg DMI was the best treatment.
The condition of lipid metabolism, hemostasis and general homocysteine level as a manifestation of endothelial dysfunction at progressing course of atherosclerosis obliterans of the lower extremities

The problems related to studying predictors of atherosclerosis obliterans (ASO) of the lower extremities are quite relevant due to high disability and lethality rate of patients belonging to this group. This study aimed to evaluate the values of lipid profile, general homocysteine and hemostasis in relation to the clinical course of ASO. Material and Methods ― 55 patients with ASO of the lower extremities were divided into two groups: 30 patients with no progressive clinical course, 25 patients with progressive clinical course. The group division was based on the anamnesis (duration of the disease, decrease of painless walking distance during the year, the length of effect lasting from conservative treatment). Data presented as median with lower and upper quartiles – Me (LQ, UQ). Results ― As a result of research, there was a registration of moderate hyperhomocysteinemia – 23.6 (20.1, 26.4) mkmol/l, as well as high values of triglycerides – 2.10 (1.72, 2.51) mmol/l and low-density lipoproteins – 4.48 (3.95, 6.44) mmol/l, against low values of high-density lipoproteins – 1.14 (0.72, 1.40) mmol/l in lipid profile. Development of hypercoagulability and susceptibility to thrombosis in patients is manifestation of endothelial dysfunction, which plays a key role in progression of ASO of the lower extremities.
A better approximation for longest noncrossing spanning trees∗

Let P be a finite set of points in the plane. For any spanning tree T on P , we denote by |T | the Euclidean length of T . Let TOPT be a noncrossing spanning tree of maximum length for P . We show how to construct a noncrossing spanning tree TALG with |TALG| ≥ δ · |TOPT| with δ = 0.512. We also show how to improve this bound when the points lie in a thin rectangle.
The Looming Extinction of Sindhi Language in the Urban Context and Role of A Sindhi Mother

The study focuses on Sindhi speaking mothers’ attitudes towards their mother tongue (Sindhi) and the target languages Urdu and English in an urban multilingual setting in Karachi. Applying the qualitative methodology and using interpretive approach the open-ended questions are asked and interviews are recorded from the five educated mothers living in Karachi. The help is taken from different existing social and psychological theories to investigate some of the relevant important issues that need to be considered in such a context. The study focuses on critical evaluation of prestige and ideology connotations associated with Sindhi, Urdu and English in Karachi. The findings show that urban setting creates cognitive slaveries in the minds of the Sindhi mothers and in turn affects their language choices for their children.
Opiliones (Arachnida) in a mixed forest in southern Minas Gerais state, Brazil

The Opiliones are an order that provides relevant environmental services to different ecosystems, but there is little information on these arachnids for many Brazilian environments. In the Minas Gerais state, Southeastern Brazil, there is no data for Mixed Forests, the dominant phytophysiognomy of the Atlantic Forest domain. To address this issue, we aimed to assess the opilionid fauna in Mixed Forest environments. This study took place at the Parque Estadual Serra do Papagaio state park between November 2017 and April 2018, with a total 57 hours of sampling effort. We recorded 17 species, including a Spinopilar species unknown to Science. Despite the low species richness when compared to other assessments, we found the Opiliones fauna of the Mixed Forest to be noteworthy due to their endemic status.
Meteorological Systems Influences Rainfall in Seropédica.

Rainfall data from 2001-2011 from Seropedica were related to synoptic systems and El Nino Southern Oscillation episodes (ENSO). Evaluation was divided into average, monthly, seasonal and annual. Synoptic data are from Climanalise from 1996 to 2012. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests (Mann-Kendall (MK), Pettitt and Sen Method (S e )) were applied to time series from Climanalise. The identified average characteristics showed high interannual and intraseasonal variability of synoptic systems, followed by the interaction between local and mesoscale systems in the rainfall regime. Seasonally, spring (38.06%) and summer (30.35%) were higher than autumn (20.91%) and winter (10.68%). The highest average monthly accumulated were observed in the joint occurrence of SACZ/ MCZ and FS from November to January, followed by the influence of ENSO episodes in Seropedica. FS occurences decreased in 2005, while in 2003 there was an increased SACZ/MCZ. MK test results considering α = 5% showed that there is Significant Increasing Trend (SIT) in SACZ/MCZ (Z > 2.25) and Significant Decreasing Trend (SDT) of FS (Z 2.25) e Tendencia Significativa de Reducao (TSR) de SF (Z < 3.68) no Rio de Janeiro. A estatistica identificou as tendencias e os periodos criticos dos sistemas sinoticos. Palavras chaves : ENOS, Sistemas Sinoticos, testes nao parametricos.
Attentional capture by context cues, not inhibition of cue singletons, explains same location costs.

Recent attentional capture studies with the spatial cueing paradigm often found that target-dissimilar precues resulted in longer RTs on valid than invalid cue trials. These same location costs were accompanied by a contralateral positivity over posterior electrodes from 200 to 300 ms, similar to a PD component. Same location costs and the PD have been linked to the inhibition of cues with a unique feature (singleton cues) that do not match the target feature. In some studies reporting same location costs, the cue was surrounded by other cues (i.e., the context cues) that matched the physical or relative feature of the target. We hypothesized that the context cues might have captured attention and might have elicited data patterns that mimicked the inhibitory effects. To disentangle inhibition of the singleton cue from capture by the context cues, we added gray cues to the cue array, which we considered neutral because gray matched neither the target nor the nontarget color. In four experiments, the results consistently showed that the context cues in the nonmatching cue condition captured attention, as reflected in shorter RTs compared to neutral cues and a substantial N2pc to lateralized context cues. By contrast, the evidence for inhibition of the singleton cue was rather weak. Therefore, same location costs and lateralized positivity in the event-related potential of participants in several recent studies probably reflected attentional capture by the context cues, not inhibition of the singleton cue. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Personal trainers’ coaching style as perceived by clients: Relations to quality of motivation and subjective vitality – A self-determination theory approach

3 Acknowledgements . 4 List of tables . 5 List of figures . 6 List of appendixes . 7 Abbreviations . 8 1.0 Introduction . 11 1.1 Health and physical activity . 11 1.2 The fitness center as an arena for physical activity . 12 1.3 Personal trainers as contributors to public health . 13 1.4 Importance of professionalizing the Personal Trainer profession . 13 2.0 Theoretical framework . 16 2.1 What makes us motivated to engage in physical activity? 16 2.2 Early motivational research . 16 2.3 Self-Determination Theory . 17 2.3.1 Well-being and vitality . 19 2.3.2 Motivational regulation. 21 2.3.3 Basic Psychological Needs . 24 2.3.4 Social contextual influence . 26 2.4 The process of internalization: Impacts of coaching style. 28 2.5 Former research on Self-Determination Theory in various domains . 30 2.5. 1 In the sport domain . 30 2.5. 2 In physical activity and exercise . 31 2.5. 3 In the fitness center context . 34 2.5. 4 In personal training . 36 2.6 Purpose of study . 38 2.7 What this study adds . 39 2.8 Main research questions . 40 3.0 Method . 41 3.1 Participants. 41 3.2 Study design and procedures . 42 3.3 Data collection . 42 3.3.1 Pilot study . 43 3.4 Measures . 44 3.4. 1 Perceived Coaching Behavior . 44 3.4. 2 Motivational Regulation . 44 3.4. 3 Vitality. 45 3.5 Factorial validity and reliability . 45
Phytochemical estimations and antihypoxic effect of ethanol leaf extract of Milicia excelsa (Moraceae) in mice Primary tabs

Milicia excelsa (Moraceae) is used to treat mental illnesses, among other traditional uses in Africa, but no scientific supports for its use. Hence, this study investigated the antihypoxic potential of the ethanol leaf extract of Milicia excelsa in mice, as well as determined quantitatively the phytoconstituents present in the extract. Hypoxia was induced by sodium nitrite (360 mg/kg, i.p., a haemic hypoxic model) and sodium fluoride (150 mg/kg, i.p., a circulatory hypoxic model) in mice. The phytocompounds were estimated using standard methods. The extract at 500 and 1000 mg/kg, per oral significantly (p<0.05) prolonged the death latency in the haemic hypoxic mouse model while the extract at all the doses (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (p<0.05) prolonged the death latency in the circulatory hypoxic mouse model suggesting antihypoxic effect. Total alkaloid was the most abundant of the phytochemicals assayed. This study therefore, concluded that the extract has an antihypoxic effect. The observed antihypoxic effect might be due to the abundance of total alkaloids which may either in synergy or additive with other plant secondary metabolites in the extract be responsible for the observed effect.
Nuclear DNA content and phenotypic traits of the Prunus rootstocks from Poland’s gene resources

The ploidy level can be useful in evaluating reproductive and somatic compatibility, an important parameter in scion and rootstock breeding programs. Evaluation of nuclear DNA content was performed in order to determine ploidy level of 31 rootstocks of genus Prunus for plum, sour cherry and sweet cherry. In the first stage of the research, the conditions of flow cytometry analysis with application of propidium iodide for DNA staining were optimized. Repeatable results and relatively good-quality histograms were obtained using Partec extraction buffer with 1% PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) addition, with incubation time from 50 to 90 min. The best internal standard for flow cytometry analysis proved to be tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) 2C = 1.96 pg for rootstocks with a nuclear DNA content from 0.55 to 1.64 pg, and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) 2.50 pg for rootstocks with a larger nuclear DNA contents from 1.8 to 2.3 pg. In five plum rootstocks, 2C values ranged from 0.61 to 0.67 pg indicating their diploid chromosome number. One rootstock was identified as tetraploid (2C = 1.34 pg), and four rootstocks as hexaploids owing to their DNA contents from 2.07 to 2.23 pg. One rootstock was considered a pentaploid due to its 2C value of 1.64 pg which was approximately two and a half times more than in diploid Prunus sp. In nine cherry rootstocks, 2C DNA values ranged from 0.74 to 0.86 pg indicating their diploid chromosome number. Nine cherry rootstocks were identified as triploids with their 2C DNA contents from 1.03 to 1.24 pg. Two cherry rootstocks were considered as tetraploids having 2C DNA of 1.39 pg. The ploidy level of cherry and plum rootstocks was evaluated in relation to morphological and agronomic traits. The tendency to increase the size of stomata and leaves along with an increase in the ploidy level was observed within Prunus rootstock genotypes; however, the correlations between these traits were not so evident. Therefore, stomata and leaf size cannot be considered as a morphological marker indicating ploidy level. The evaluated nuclear DNA contents / ploidy levels as well as stomata and leaf size are the additional descriptors of Prunus rootstocks that can be useful for identifying genotypes.