Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE CROATIAN TOURIST SECTOR

Purpose – The COVID-19 pandemic, unprecedented in terms of the speed at which it spread globally, affected the whole world swiftly after the initial outbreak and has produced heterogeneous effects on various industrial sectors and particularly pronounced effects on the tourism industry. This paper analyses the effect of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic through Europe on the tourist stocks in Croatia by means of application of the event study methodology. Methodology – The analysis starts with a descriptive overview of the market-wide performance of different sectors in the period before, during and after the initial pandemic outbreak and subsequently explicitly tests for the COVID-19 outbreak effects on the tourist sector. First, a 35- day event window is specified so that important events related to the pandemic can be identified. Second, the first officially reported COVID-19 incidence in Italy and the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global pandemic are used as identified events in a shorter 10day window event study estimation. Findings – The results robustly point to the significant negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the returns of tourist stocks on the Zagreb Stock Exchange. However, the overall results do not provide evidence of the relatively stronger COVID-19 effects on the tourist sector, but rather equal effects across different sectors. Contribution – This research offers a novel comprehensive review of the literature regarding the research topic and provides insights into the sectoral effects of the global financial shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the local market. As this pandemic is increasing the market volatility, this research will be of importance to fund managers and carries implications for economic policy in terms of sectoral stimulus distribution and debt refinancing.
Anti-adhesion properties of 4-(adamantyl-1)-1-(1-aminobutyl) benzole against Еscherichia coli

One of the serious problems of medicine is the formation and spread of antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains capable of causing acute and chronic persistent infections due to biofilms. Insufficient effectiveness of antimicrobial chemotherapy in acute inflammatory diseases and the practical absence of drugs with an antibiofilm activity actualize the search for promising compounds and the development of effective and safe drugs on their basis.The aim of this work is to study the effect of 4-(adamantyl-1)-1-(1-aminobutyl) benzole (AM-166) on the adhesive properties of E. coli and the expression of genes that regulate adhesion.The antibiofilm activity of the adamantane-containing compound AM-166 was studied by the sorption of gentian violet on biofilm structures, the hydrophobicity of the E. coli cell surface was assessed by adhesion to a solvent (MATS test), swimming, swarming, and twitching migration – by standard methods. Cell adhesion to the abiotic surface was assessed by the Christensen method, the effect of AM-166 on the expression of the fimA, papC, fliC, and motB genes was investigated using realtime PCR.It was shown that the AM-166 compound disrupts the formation of E. coli biofilm: the biomass decreases at 5.0 MIC by 69.2 %, at 0.5 MIC – by 36.9 %. It was found that AM-166 reduces the hydrophobicity of E. coli cells (by 4.0 % at 0.5 MIC) and adhesion to an abiotic substrate (by 46.0–76.4 %, depending on the incubation time), inhibits twitching migration, and stimulates swarming migration. The diameters of the E. coli mobility zones increased by 1.5 times (0.5 MIC) and 1.2 times (2.0 MIC). Under the action of AM-166, an increase in the expression of the fimA gene, as well as a decrease in the expression of the fliCand motB genes (by 2 times) were recorded. The decrease in papC gene expression was statistically insignificant.Thus, the antibiofilm activity of AM-166 is due to the impaired mobility of microorganisms and altered expression of the fimA, fliC, and motB genes. In the future, it is necessary to study the effect of the adamantane derivative on the Quorum Sensing systems in E. coli.
Analysis of the Effect of Control Strategy on the Fault Transient Characteristics of Inverter-based Distributed Generators

When the power system disturbances occur,inverter-based distributed generators(IBDG)will adjust themselves through a series of operation to return to a stable state with the control of its own controller. In order to study the impact of the control strategy on the fault transient characteristics,a concrete model was constructed for the inverter control strategy. On the basis of this model,the thorough analysis on the impact of the control parameters on the fault transient characteristics of IBDG was carried on. Then in-depth analysis on the fault transient characteristics of IBDG was performed respectively in the cases of symmetry and asymmetry fault. Furthermore,simulation analysis is built up on the response of IBDG,and the correctness of the theoretical analysis is verified by simulation results. The analysis will lay a theoretical basis for the protection of the grid with distributed generation.
A New Dataset and Neural Networks Models to Estimate the Joint Coordinates of Human Hand from Electromyographic Signals

Abstract Gestures classification is a widespread solution for prosthetic hand control using electromyographic signals (EMG). It can be defined as the task of estimating the class associated to a time-series data provided by the sensor. Nevertheless, it remains unsatisfactory as the number of motions (classes) is limited. In this article, we investigate the problem of estimating the joint coordinates of the hand from the same input data. The main contributions of the article are: (1) a new dataset for joint coordinates estimation from EMG data, (2) a set of neural networks models for this regression task, and (3) an experimental study to compare the performances of the proposed methods. The database is built with a six channels EMG armband and hand motions measured by computer vision. First results are hopeful and provide both a baseline for new methods and a proof of concept for future prosthetic control solutions.
Bank profitability in Sub-Saharan Africa: does economic globalization matter?

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of economic globalization on bank profitability in Sub-Saharan Africa.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical analysis is based on panel data of banks spanning 2008–2016. Relying on the KOF Globalization Index, the study uses financial globalization and trade globalization as measures of economic globalization. The authors employ the system generalized method of moments technique to establish the relationship between economic globalization and bank profitability while controlling for the effect of bank-specific and macroeconomic factors.FindingsThe results show a negative significant effect of financial and trade globalization on bank profitability, signifying the intense competition of banks in Sub-Saharan Africa accelerated by globalization. The negative effect of economic globalization holds irrespective of the indicator of bank profitability. Bank size exerts a significant effect on profitability though the impact is negative for return on equity measure. The findings further reveal a positive significant impact of GDP growth and inflation on profitability.Originality/valueThis paper presents a pioneering work on the impact of economic globalization on bank profitability in the Sub-Saharan African context per the researchers' knowledge.
Potential Distribution Along UHV AC Transmission Line Composite Insulator and Electric Field Distribution on the Surface of Grading Ring

The coupling finite element method and boundary element method (FEM-BEM) method and sub-region approximation FEM were proposed together to solve the potential distribution of 1000 kV AC cup-shaped tower,composite insulator double I string and electric field distribution on the surface of grading ring.The research results indicate that,the three-dimensional FEM-BEM can effectively calculate the potential distribution along the axis of UHV composite insulator with infinite open boundary,sub-region approximation FEM can accurately analyze the electric field distribution on the surface of the grading ring by sub-region approximation the interest regions step by step and with fine mesh.The maximum withstand voltage percentage along the insulator of double I string are on the No.3 unit,and the value is 7.58%. The maximum electric field intensity of the typical path on the surface of the grading ring is 13.39 kV/cm.The FEM-BEM and sub-region approximation FEM supply a method to accurately analyze the electrostatic field problems with complex geometry structure,with multi medium,infinite open boundary and large calculation scale.
Improvement in hyperexpression with a combination of truncated scmp promoter and Streptomyces lividans.

We have previously reported a powerful promoter from the Streptomyces cinnamoneus TH-2 strain named 'scmp' and created an expression vector of pTONA5a for expression using S. lividans. The full-length scmp promoter sequence consists of 424 bp upstream of a metalloendoprotease gene in the S. cinnamoneus TH-2 genome. The promoter works in the presence of inorganic phosphate and glucose. In this study, we present the essential region of the scmp promoter (promoter C), which lacks 358 bp of the 5' region of the full-length promoter. Promoter C was very short and contained only 63 bp. Using promoter C, we succeeded in the extracellular production of the Streptomyces enzymes of leucine aminopeptidase, ferulic acid esterase, and transglutaminase, which possessed signal peptides for secretion via the type II secretion pathway, at high levels.
Development of waste rice husk/PVC/GO nanocomposite using TA–CaO adduct and ESO as green additives

In this study, a biobased composite utilizing waste rice husk ash (RHA) and polyvinyl chloride in a 1:1 ratio was prepared. The composites were prepared in a solventless, green pathway of melt blending using green additives such as tannic acid-calcium oxide (TA–CaO) adduct as a heat stabilizer and epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) as green compatibilizer. The addition of graphene oxide (GO) nanomaterial into the composite improved the thermal, mechanical, chemical and flame resistance properties of the composite. Composite reinforced with 0.5 phr GO, improved the tensile, flexural and, shore D hardness by 34, 37, 14%, respectively. The homogeneous dispersion of the GO layer in reinforced composite was evident from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study. Composites with GO as nano reinforcement showed relatively higher flame retardancy due to the synergistic effect of GO and silicon present in RHA. The composite with 0.5 phr loading of GO showed overall improvement in properties among the composites. It is expected that the incorporation of waste RHA along with other renewable bioresource materials will improve biodegradability and decrease the production cost of the composite. Graphical Abstract
Fetal origin of sex-bias brain aging

DNA methylation plays crucial roles during fetal development as well as aging. Whether the aging of the brain is programmed at the fetal stage remains untested. To test this hypothesis, mouse epigenetic clock (epiclock) was profiled in fetal (gestation day 15), postnatal (day 5), and aging (week 70) brain of male and female C57BL/6J inbred mice. Data analysis showed that on week 70 the female brain was epigenetically younger than the male brain. Predictive modeling by neural network identified specific methylations in the brain at the developing stages that were predictive of epigenetic state of the brain during aging. Transcriptomic analysis showed coordinated changes in expression of epiclock genes in the fetal brain relative to placenta. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing identified sites that were methylated both in the placenta and fetal brain in a sex-specific manner. Epiclock genes and genes associated with specific signaling pathways, primarily the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) pathway, were associated with these sex-bias methylations in the placenta as well as fetal brain. Transcriptional crosstalk among the epiclock and GnRHR pathway genes was evident in the placenta that was maintained in the brain during development as well as aging. Collectively, these findings suggest that sex differences in the aging of brain are of fetal origin and epigenetically linked to the placenta.
Genomic Predictions of Phenotypes and Pseudo-Phenotypes for Viral Nervous Necrosis Resistance, Cortisol Concentration, Antibody Titer and Body Weight in European Sea Bass

Simple Summary Selective breeding programs based on genomic data are still not a common practice in aquaculture, although genomic selection has been widely demonstrated to be advantageous when trait phenotyping is a difficult task. In this study, we investigated the accuracy of predicting the phenotype and the estimated breeding value (EBV) of three Bayesian models and a Random Forest algorithm exploiting the information of a genome-wide SNP panel for European sea bass. The genomic predictions were developed for mortality caused by viral nervous necrosis, post-stress cortisol concentration, antibody titer against nervous necrosis virus and body weight. Selective breeding based on genomic data is a possible option for improving these traits while overcoming difficulties related to individual phenotyping of the investigated traits. Our results evidenced that the EBV used as a pseudo-phenotype enhances the predictive performances of genomic models, and that EBV can be predicted with satisfactory accuracy. The genomic prediction of the EBV for mortality might also be used to classify the phenotype for the same trait. Abstract In European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.), the viral nervous necrosis mortality (MORT), post-stress cortisol concentration (HC), antibody titer (AT) against nervous necrosis virus and body weight (BW) show significant heritability, which makes selective breeding a possible option for their improvement. An experimental population (N = 650) generated by a commercial broodstock was phenotyped for the aforementioned traits and genotyped with a genome-wide SNP panel (16,075 markers). We compared the predictive accuracies of three Bayesian models (Bayes B, Bayes C and Bayesian Ridge Regression) and a machine-learning method (Random Forest). The prediction accuracy of the EBV for MORT was approximately 0.90, whereas the prediction accuracies of the EBV and the phenotype were 0.86 and 0.21 for HC, 0.79 and 0.26 for AT and 0.71 and 0.38 for BW. The genomic prediction of the EBV for MORT used to classify the phenotype for the same trait showed moderate classification performance. Genome-wide association studies confirmed the polygenic nature of MORT and demonstrated a complex genetic structure for HC and AT. Genomic predictions of the EBV for MORT could potentially be used to classify the phenotype of the same trait, though further investigations on a larger experimental population are needed.
Harris skewed normal distribution

Abstract In this paper a new family of Harris skewed normal distributions (HSND) is proposed. The probability density function of the HSND can be both positively and negatively skewed, unimodal and multimodal and can be symmetric with heavy tails. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to evaluate the applicability of the proposed family of distributions. The HSND family is used to fit three different real data sets.
ATWS Frequency Quantification Focusing on Digital I&C Failures

The multi-tasking feature of digital I&C equipment could increase risk concentration because the I&C equipment affects the actuation of the safety functions in several ways. Anticipated Transient without Scram (ATWS) is a typical case of safety function failure in nuclear power plants. In a conventional analysis, mechanical failures are treated as the main contributors of the ATWS. This paper quantitatively presents the probability of the ATWS based on a fault tree analysis of a Korea Standard Nuclear Power Plant is also presented. An analysis of the digital equipment in the digital plant protection system. The results show that the digital system severely affects the ATWS frequency. We also present the results of a sensitivity study, which show the effects of the important factors, and discuss the dependency between human operator failure and digital equipment failure.
Exploring Mental Health Presentations in Remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia Using an Audit and File Reviews

The study aims to explore the role of mental health care in remote Aboriginal health services in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and provide a more nuanced understanding of the patients presenting for care, their needs, and the clinical response. Little is currently known about primary health care presentations for mental health, suicide, and self-harm for remote dwelling Aboriginal residents of the Kimberley region, despite high rates of psychological distress, self-harm, and suicide across the area. This study was progressed through a retrospective, cross-sectional audit of the electronic medical records system used by three remote clinics to explore the interactions recorded by the clinics about a patient’s mental health. In addition, an in-depth file review was conducted on a stratified purposive sample of 30 patients identified through the audit. Mental ill-health and psychological distress were found to be prominent within clinical presentations. Psychosocial factors were frequently identified in relation to a patient’s mental health presentation. Optimizing patients’ recovery and wellness through service improvements, including an enhanced mental health model of care, is an important next step.
Understanding accountability in blockchain systems

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine how accountability is constructed for blockchain systems. With the aim of increasing knowledge on accountability across three different types of blockchains (public, private and consortium), the researchers ask: how do blockchain systems construct accountability? Design/methodology/approachThis study draws on theorising in the accountability literature to study how blockchains relate to our construction and understanding of accountability. A qualitative field study of the Australian blockchain technology landscape is conducted, with insights garnered from 18 blockchain experts.FindingsFindings reveal that different types of blockchains employ different forms and mechanisms of accountability and in novel ways previously less acknowledged in the literature. Importantly, this study finds that accountability does not require a principal–agent relation and can still manifest in less pure applications of blockchain technology across a wide range of stakeholders, contrary to that espoused in earlier exhortations of blockchain use in interdisciplinary literature. This study also finds that similar subtypes of accountability operate very differently across public, private and consortium blockchains and there exists an inverse relation between trust and consensus building through transparency as blockchains progress from public to private types. Overall, this study offers novel explanations for the relevance of greater accountability in blockchains, especially when the assumptions of public blockchains are softened and applied as private and consortium blockchains.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the accountability literature by addressing how different blockchain systems reshape the understanding of traditional accounting and accountability practices. This study questions the very need for a principal–agent relation to facilitate accountability and offers an additional perspective to how trust and transparency operate as key mechanisms of accountability.
A cascade bilayer electron transport layer toward efficient and stable Ruddlesden‐Popper perovskite solar cells

Optimal interfaces play a key role in charge transport/recombination characteristics and minimized potential loss of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Currently, n‐type oxide semiconductors are the most common electron transport layer (ETL) material, but the imperfect electronic structure, unfavorable band alignment, and corresponding poor interface of ETL/perovskite absorber remain a great challenge for achieving a high photovoltaic performance of PSCs. Here, we combine a fullerene derivative or a non‐fullerene organic semiconductor with tin(IV) oxide (SnO2) to promise much‐improved surface and electronic structure of ETL interface in Ruddlesden‐Popper perovskites (RPPs)‐based photovoltaic devices. The organic semiconductors fill a bumpy surface of SnO2 to make the surface smoother, which effectively avoids the shunt pathways at the interface of the ETL/RPP absorber layer, and thereby suppresses unintended electron‐hole recombination. The organic‐inorganic bilayered ETLs also improve the electronic structure of the SnO2 surface, which provides favorable optoelectronic properties such as quick electron extraction and elongated carrier lifetime in the device. Moreover, the hydrophobic organic semiconductor is helpful in not only growing a uniform, compact, and largely grained RPP absorber layer but also improving the stability of the perovskite absorber layer. Benefiting from the optimized bilayer ETLs, the power conversion efficiency is obviously enhanced up to 10.17% in the RPP‐based photovoltaic devices. More importantly, the bilayer ETLs allow improved long‐term stability in ambient storage of the devices, providing a viable path to design practical interfaces of efficient and stable RPP‐based PSCs.
Local Implementation of State-Level Discipline Policy: Administrator Perspectives and Contextual Factors Associated With Compliance

Many states and school districts are implementing reforms to reduce reliance on exclusionary discipline such as out-of-school suspension and expulsion. This article uses survey and administrative data to study the implementation of a state-level policy limiting elementary school out-of-school suspension and expulsions. While the results are limited in sample size and generalizability, we find that survey respondents from relatively disadvantaged schools reported greater difficulties and challenges with implementation and tended to comply at lower rates. Policy makers seeking more equitable implementation of these types of reforms should work with schools to better understand and attend to local preferences, buy-in, and capacity for implementation.