Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Market Attractiveness Classification of European Union Countries for Establishing Logistics Centres

At present, enterprises are forced to serve their customers as quickly as possible if they want to succeed on turbulent global markets. Enterprises are looking for regions with high-quality infrastructure where they can establish new logistics centres that enable enterprises to serve their customers quickly. This paper focuses on the segmentation of the European Union market for enterprises that are willing to set up logistics centres in order to be able to distribute products fluently and more quickly to their customers in Europe. An agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm was used and Ward’s criterion applied for the purposes of market segmentation. A Logistic Performance Index and the indicator Dealing with Construction Permits were used as two relevant dimensions reflecting the market attractiveness of identified clusters. Based on the given statistical output, fundamental marketing concepts were formulated for each cluster composed of EU countries with similar characteristics.
Pre-treatment patient variables as predictors of drop-out and treatment outcome in cognitive behavioural therapy for social phobia: A systematic review

Background: Although cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an efficacious treatment for social phobia (SP), many patients drop out or achieve little or no benefit from treatment. This fact is generally considered an argument for the importance of studies of predictor variables. Aims: This paper systematically reviews pre-treatment patient variables as predictors of drop-out from and outcome of CBT for SP. Method: A structured literature search was conducted in PsycINFO, Embase and PubMed. Results: 28 published studies with n≥60 were located. No pre-treatment patient variables were found to predict drop-out. Consistently across studies, higher levels of pre-treatment symptomatic severity predicted higher levels of end-state symptomatic severity, but not degree of improvement. There was some evidence that comorbid depression and avoidant personality disorder before treatment negatively influenced post-treatment end-state functioning, but not consistently improvement. No other patient variables consistently predicted outcome across studies. Conclusions: Generally, the results are in line with the conclusion that more disturbed patients with SP both begin and end treatment at a higher symptomatic level but with a similar degree of improvement. There is, however, little clinically or theoretically relevant knowledge to be gained from existing studies of pre-treatment patient variables as predictors of drop-out and treatment outcome in CBT for patients with SP. The field is in need of conceptual and methodological improvements if more solid findings should be hoped for.
Implementing clarification dialogues in open domain question answering

We examine the implementation of clarification dialogues, a mechanism for ensuring that question answering systems take into account user goals by allowing them to ask series of related questions either by refining or expanding on previous questions with follow-up questions, in the context of open domain Question Answering systems. We develop an algorithm for clarification dialogue recognition through the analysis of collected data on clarification dialogues and examine the importance of clarification dialogue recognition for question answering. The algorithm is evaluated and shown to successfully recognize the start and continuation of clarification dialogues in 94% of cases. We then show the usefulness of the algorithm by demonstrating how the recognition of clarification dialogues can simplify the task of answer retrieval.
Variability of Musculoskeletal Strain on Dentists: An Electromyographic and Goniometric Study

Introduction. Dentists and hygienists are strongly affected by musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). As workstation concepts are supported by subjective arguments only, the aim of this study was to use objective measurements to compare the variability of strain in various concepts: a dental chair equipped with a cart or an over-the-patient delivery system without an assistant, and Dr Daryl Beach’s concept with an assistant. Methods. Goniometric and electromyographic recordings were made on 8 subjects, during a scaling operation. The electrical activity of their trapezius and lumbar muscles was compared, as were their cervical and lumbar ranges of motion. Results. The results showed that there was a wide variability depending on the workstation. However, the Beach concept tended to reduce physical strain on most parameters: duration of left lumbar muscle activity (2% compared to 15% of time spent in >10% maximal voluntary contraction, MVC), time spent in cervical side bending (4% compared to 30%), cervical flexion of >20° (9% compared to 40%), and left trapezius activity (9% of time spent >10% MVC compared to 28%). Conclusion. Practitioners and students should adjust their workstations to reduce the prevalence of MSDs.
Negotiating Agendas: Adult Educators & Neoliberalism in Private Training Establishments

Establishments Judith Walker University of British Columbia, Canada Like all education, adult education is not neutral; it is very much tied to hegemonic interests within a given society.Nevertheless, it would be erroneous to deny agency for change to those working within mainstream institutions. (Peter Mayo) Abstract: This study explores the impact of neoliberalism on adult education in New Zealand by examining the experiences of 14 educators and directors in four Private Training Establishments (PTEs). While the effects of neoliberal ideology and policy have been significant, the findings indicate that adult educators critically examine their practice and constantly negotiate their own agendas.
Pharmacologically induced elements of the hunting and feeding behavior in the pteropod mollusk Clione limacina. I. Effects of GABA.

1. The pteropod mollusk Clione limacina is a predator, feeding on the small pteropod mollusk Limacina helicina. Injection of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) into the hemocoel of the intact Clione evoked some essential elements of the hunting and feeding behavior, i.e., protracting the tentacles, opening the mouth, and triggering the rhythmic movements of the buccal mass. This pattern resembled that evoked by presentation of the prey: Clione grasped the Limacina by its tentacles, extracted the prey's body from the shell and then swallowed it. 2. In electrophysiological experiments, several targets of GABA action have been found: 1) direct application of GABA to isolated cerebral motor neurons projecting to the protractor muscles of tentacles resulted in their excitation; 2) GABA activated the feeding rhythm generator located in the buccal ganglia; 3) GABA exerted excitatory or inhibitory effects on the receptor cells of statocysts, the effects being mediated by the efferent input to these cells; 4) GABA suppressed the defense reaction, which is an inhibition of the locomotor activity and of tentacle motor neurons, arising in response to stimulation of the head afferents; and 5) GABA potentiated an excitatory action of the serotoninergic metacerebral cells on the feeding rhythm generator. 3. Effects of GABA on the tentacle motor neurons and the feeding rhythm generator are pharmacologically distinguishable. The action of GABA on the feeding rhythm generator was mimicked by baclofen (which activates the GABAB receptors in mammalian neurons) and was not sensitive to bicuculline (the GABAA receptor antagonist in mammals). On the other hand, bicuculline competitively inhibited the GABA-induced excitation of the tentacle motor neurons. 4. GABAergic neurons have been located in the cerebral, pedal, and buccal ganglia by means of immunohistochemical methods.
Survey of plasmids and resistance factors in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli

A total of 688 isolates of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli were screened for the presence of plasmid DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis and were tested for susceptibility to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, streptomycin, and tetracycline. Of the isolates examined, 32% were noted to harbor plasmid DNA, ranging in size from 2.0 to 162 kilobases. Only tetracycline resistance was noted to correlate with the presence of plasmids. Plasmids capable of transferring tetracycline resistance via conjugation ranged in size from 42 to 100 kilobases. The Bg/II and Bc/I restriction endonuclease profiles of 31 plasmids examined showed marked diversity in their banding patterns. Although a high degree of DNA-DNA homology was noted among the Campylobacter spp. plasmids, no homology was noted between these plasmids and tetracycline R factors commonly found in the family Enterobacteriaceae.
Super-Oscillation Far-Field Focusing Lens Based on Ultra-Thin Width-Varied Metallic Slit Array

A super-oscillation far-field focusing micro-lens based on continuous amplitude modulation is experimentally demonstrated with 40-nm thick width-varied sub-wavelength metallic slit array. The 228 × 200 μm2 micro-lens is designed and fabricated with numerical aperture 0.976 and focal length 40. 1λ for wavelength λ = 632.8 nm. Experimental results show that the focal length is ~26.5 ± 1 μm, and the focal line full width at half maximum is 0. 379λ, which is smaller than the corresponding diffraction limit 0. 512λ and the super-oscillation criterion 0. 389λ. A great suppression of sidelobes was observed in the measured focal plane area, and the largest sidelobe intensity was found only 10.6% of the central lobe intensity, leading to a wide field of view.
Factors determining household allocation of credit to livestock production in Ethiopia

Access to credit is often viewed as a key to transforming semi-subsistence smallholder farmers into market-oriented producers. However, only a few studies have examined the factors that affect farmers’ decisions to allocate credit to farm activities in general and livestock production in particular. A trivariate probit model with double selection is employed to address the issue using data collected from smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. After using a two-step procedure to adjust for sample selection bias, gender of household head, land ownership and access to a livestock centred extension service are found to have a significant effect on farmers decision to use credit for livestock production. The results showed female-headed households, farmers with a large plot of land and farmers that have access to livestock centred extension services are more likely to utilize credit for livestock production. However, since the effect of land ownership squared is negative, the effect of land ownership lessens for those who own a very large plot of land. The study highlights the fact that lending to female-household heads may lead to increased access to animal-sourced foods for rural households. Furthermore, the study shows that improving farmers’ access to credit should be supported by a focused extension service that addresses the special needs of female farmers. Key word: livestock production, credit access, credit allocation, household decision, double sample selection JEL Code: Q12. Q14. Q16. D13.C34 1 Factors determining household allocation of credit to livestock production in Ethiopia
The prevalence of antenatal and postnatal co-morbid anxiety and depression: a meta-analysis

To date, the precise prevalence of co-morbidity of anxiety and depression in the perinatal period is not well known. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of co-morbid anxiety and depression in the antenatal and postnatal periods. Systematic searches of multiple electronic databases were conducted for studies published between January 1950 and January 2016. We included 66 (24 published and 42 unpublished) studies incorporating 162 120 women from 30 countries. Prevalence of self-reported antenatal anxiety symptoms and mild to severe depressive symptoms was 9.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 7.8–11.2, 17 studies, n = 25 592] and of co-morbid anxiety symptoms and moderate/severe depressive symptoms was 6.3% (95% CI 4.8–7.7, 17 studies, n = 27 270). Prevalence of a clinical diagnosis of any antenatal anxiety disorder and depression was 9.3% (95% CI 4.0–14.7, 10 studies, n = 3918) and of co-morbid generalized anxiety disorder and depression was 1.7% (95% CI 0.2–3.1, three studies, n = 3085). Postnatally between 1 and 24 weeks postpartum, the prevalence of co-morbid anxiety symptoms and mild to severe depressive symptoms was 8.2% (95% CI 6.5–9.9, 15 studies, n = 14 731), while co-morbid anxiety symptoms and moderate/severe depressive symptoms was 5.7% (95% CI 4.3–7.1, 13 studies, n = 20 849). The prevalence of a clinical diagnosis of co-morbid anxiety and depression was 4.2% (95% CI 1.9–6.6, eight studies, n = 3251). Prevalence rates did not differ with regard to year of publication, country income, selection bias and attrition bias. The results suggest that co-morbid perinatal anxiety and depression are prevalent and warrant clinical attention given the potential negative child developmental consequences if left untreated. Further research is warranted to develop evidence-based interventions for prevention, identification and treatment of this co-morbidity.
Essays on investment decisions of households across the wealth spectrum

This study provides first field evidence on the effect of financial resources on real economic decisions. A sudden increase in inventory costs tightens consumption budgets in a population of self-employed vendors of a Big Issue-type “street paper”. After the budget shock, vendors become more responsive to expected demand in their stock-up decisions, and increase their inventory turnover. The timing of the behavior changes is consistent with the tightening budget having a causal impact on vendors’ decisions. My findings suggest that binding budget constraints are unlikely to drive the results, indicating that cognition-related factors may be important in explaining the economic decisions of those who have little. * I thank Pascaline Dupas, Mika Haapanen, Markku Kaustia, Nikita Koptyug, Timo Korkeamäki, Deniz Okat, Elias Rantapuska, and Christian Schmaltz, as well as seminar participants at Aalto University, Graduate School of Finance PhD Workshop, and the Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN) in Stockholm, for valuable comments.
Factorial Pattern Description and Comparison of Functional Abilities in Neuropsychological Assessment

A principal factor analysis of 36 neuropsychological test variables yielded eight readily definable factors. These factors represent the kinds of general functions evaluated in the assessment of organic brain damage. The functional categorical scheme produced by the factor analysis was compared with other empirical and theoretical schemes. Shortcomings of the traditional neuropsychological battery were discussed in terms of the factors.
Light injection in SOI microwaveguides using high-efficiency grating couplers

An experimental characterization of the grating couplers for sub-micrometer silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguides is presented. The grating couplers have been designed, realized, and characterized for the +1 diffraction order at an operating wavelength of 1.31 mum for TE polarization. At the resonant angle, a coupling efficiency higher than 55% has been measured. The angular coupling range and the wavelength tolerance have been evaluated to 3deg and 20 nm, respectively. The grating coupler is followed by a taper, and about 50% of the input power at 1.31 mum is coupled into sub-micrometer rib and strip SOI waveguides. The ration between light power decoupled toward the cladding and light power decoupled toward the substrate is about three
Convergence in National Alcohol Consumption Patterns: New Global Indicators*

Abstract With increasing globalisation and interactions between cultures, countries are converging in many ways, including in their consumption patterns. The extent to which this has been the case in alcohol consumption has been the subject of previous studies, but those studies have been limited in scope to a specific region or group of high-income countries or to just one or two types of alcohol. The present study updates earlier findings, covers all countries of the world since 1961, and introduces two new summary indicators to capture additional dimensions of the extent of convergence in total alcohol consumption and in its mix of beverages. It also distinguishes countries according to whether their alcoholic focus was on wine, beer, or spirits in the early 1960s as well as their geographic regions and their real per-capita incomes. For recent years, we add expenditure data and compare alcohol with soft drink retail expenditure, and we show the difference it makes when unrecorded alcohol volumes are included as part of total alcohol consumption. The final section summarizes our findings and suggests that further research could provide new demand elasticity estimates and use econometrics to explain the varying extents of convergence over time, space, and beverage type. (JEL Classifications: D12, L66, N10)
Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) innate defence against the parasite Enteromyxum leei (Myxozoa)

The humoral innate immune response of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) against the myxozoan Enteromyxum leei has been studied. At 10, 22, 38, 52 and 108 days of cohabitation fish were sampled to examine gut histology and to determine serum innate immune parameters and the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNFα) in head-kidney. The parasite was successfully transmitted to 45% of the recipient fish and prevalence reached a maximum (62·5%) at the last sampling time (108 days). Recipient fish started to die after 74 days of cohabitation. In general, alternative complement activity was higher whereas the peroxidase level was lower in recipient fish than in controls. Moreover, IL-1β mRNA expression increased while the TNFα gene expression decreased in recipient fish. These data demonstrate the involvement of complement activity in the defence mechanisms of the gilthead seabream against the myxosporean E. leei. Within the recipient fish group, few differences were observed in the studied immune parameters between E. leei-parasitized and non-parasitized recipient fish. Parasitological and immunological implications of E. leei infections in Mediterranean fish farms are discussed.
Closed-loop control of a gait neuroprosthesis

For automatic control of a gait neuroprosthesis utilizing functional neuromuscular stimulation, a new supervisory finite-state controller, and an low-level closed-loop knee extension controller are introduced. Experimental results with complete thoracic spinal cord injured patients are presented. The objective is to provide users with increased control over their desired movement while reducing excessive muscle fatigue prominent in common open-loop systems. As little knowledge about the neuromuscular system is required, the parameters of the proposed control system can be adapted to individuals quickly. Muscle activation of the knee extensors can be reduced by 50% compared to open-loop systems.
Monoclonal infection involving Mycobacterium avium presenting with three distinct colony morphotypes

Recent reports indicate that polyclonal infections may play an important role in multiple drug resistance in Mycobacterium avium infections. We report here on the isolation of a single M. avium strain that appeared to have smooth colony morphology upon initial isolation on a Lowenstein-Jensen slant. Primary subculture onto Middlebrook 7H10, however, revealed three distinct morphotypes representing smooth opaque (SmO), smooth transparent (SmT), and rough (Rg) colony morphologies. All three morphotypes were identified as M. avium by standard biochemical procedures, Genprobe analysis, and mycolic acid patterns. Subsequent restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, using SalI- and PvuII-digested genomic DNA, revealed identical patterns for hybridization with the IS1245 probe. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of lipids from the three morphotypes revealed that only the SmT morphotype possessed what appeared to be lipid components similar to, but unlike, previously described serovar-specific glycopeptidolipid antigens. Further analysis of internally radiolabeled deacylated lipids from the SmT morphotype, by high-performance liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography, disclosed that some of these components can be internally radiolabeled with [14C] phenylalanine and [14C]mannose. These results suggest that these components are structurally similar to previously described glycopeptidolipid antigens. This is apparently the first report of a monoclonal infection involving a single strain of M. avium presenting with all three colony morphotypes, SmO, SmT, and Rg.
Field Validation of Remote Sensing Methane Emission Measurements

Area sources are a key contributor to overall greenhouse gas emissions but present a particular challenge to emission measurement techniques due to the heterogeneous nature of the sources. A new Controlled Release Facility (CRF) has been developed that is able to recreate in the field both the distribution and rate of emissions seen in actual industrial applications. The results of a series of field validation experiments involving this facility and an infrared differential absorption Lidar (DIAL) facility are presented, which have demonstrated the capability of the CRF to generate controlled methane emissions from 1.8 kg/h to 11 kg/h with a typical expanded (k = 2) uncertainty of ~0.3 kg/h, and established that any underlying systematic uncertainty in the DIAL measurements across this range of methane emissions is less than 4% (or 0.2 kg/h).
Semi-automated academic tutor for the selection of learning paths in a curriculum: An ontology-based approach

In higher education globalization brings challenges as part of a reform process. An important aspect of such a reform has to do with the flexibility of the contents of a curriculum. Normally curricula offer students a whole set of possibilities to make decisions regarding optional courses recommended in an educational programme. In this work we present the design of a semi-automated Academic Tutor to support students in selecting learning paths (that consist of a set of courses which form the individual curricula) to achieve a particular professional profile. We designed the Academic Tutor considering the case of an Electrical Engineering Curriculum, which is represented through ontologies, a Semantic Web technology that provides a logical and formal description that can be interpreted by people and machines. The curriculum was divided into three interrelated main structures called sources of conceptualization. The sources that were transformed into ontologies were: subjects from the programme curriculum's core and subjects from the variable part of the programme curriculum; skills and thematic contents. Preliminary findings present a broad and formal representation of the curriculum's knowledge to be shared and reused in the field of education and engineering.
Analytical Current Transport Modeling of Graphene Nanoribbon Tunnel Field-Effect Transistors for Digital Circuit Design

A semi-classical and a semi-quantum current transport model for p-i-n n-type armchair graphene nanoribbon tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) are studied analytically. The results are compared with the numerical quantum transport simulation method using an atomistic Schrodinger-Poisson solver within the non-equilibrium Green function (NEGF) formalism. The channel length and width are 20 and 4.9 nm and a-GNR band gap is 0.289 eV. Current ratio ION/IOFF at 0.1 V supply voltage is calculated as follows: 122, 16.3 and 116 with a subthreshold slopes 26, 69 and 27.4 mV/decade from semi-classical, semi-quantum and NEGF simulation, respectively. Performance of a-GNR TFET is also studied analytically and numerically considering a-GNR width variation. Voltage transfer characteristics of a-GNR TFET inverter are computed for 0.1 V and 0.2 supply voltages using three current transport models which are in close agreement.