Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-Cohort Differences in Health on the Verge of Retirement

Baby Boomers have left a unique imprint on US culture and society in the last 60 years, and it might be anticipated that they will also put their own stamp on retirement, the last phase of the life cycle. Yet because Boomers have not all fully retired, we cannot yet judge how they will fare as retirees. Instead, we focus on how this group compares with prior groups on the verge of retirement, that is, at ages 51-56. Accordingly, this chapter evaluates the stock of health which Early Boomers bring to retirement and compare these to the circumstances of two prior cohorts at the same point in their life cycles. Using three sets of responses from the Health and Retirement Study, we find some interesting patterns. Overall, the raw evidence indicates that Boomers on the verge of retirement are in poorer health their counterparts 12 years ago. Using a summary health index designed for this study, we find that those born 1948 to 1953 share health risks with the War Baby cohort. This suggests that most of the health decline instead began before the late 1940's. A more complex set of health conclusions emerges from the specific self-reported health measures. Boomers indicate they have relatively more difficulty with a range of everyday physical tasks, but they also report having more pain, more chronic conditions, more drinking and psychiatric problems, than their HRS earlier counterparts. This trend portends poorly for the future health of Boomers as they age and incur increasing costs associated with health care and medications. Using our health index, only those at the 75th percentile or higher are likely to be characterized as having good or better health.
ABNORMALITY DETECTION AND LOCALIZATION USING MODIFIED SFM

Social Force Model (SFM) is commonly used in crowd analysis. In this paper, modified SFM is proposed to detect and localize the abnormality in crowd scene. This task is done by estimating the interaction forces in image frames based on SFM theory. The algorithm is jointly used with optical flow, which provides flow vector to be used in particle advection. The moving particles are treated as a main cue instead of particle tracking. Some modifications of SFM algorithm has been proposed here in order to capture the particles which carry significant information of the crowd. The interaction forces are being selected based on Fisher’s equation. The computed interaction forces determine the synergy between the advected particles, whereby high magnitude of interaction force has high possibility of abnormal behaviour happened.
Extremal Curves in the Conformal Space and in an Associated Bundle

It is known that the movement of physical bodies in the Solar system and a light ray near the surface of the Sun is well modeled by time-like and null geodesic lines of the Lorentz 4manifold. When Riemann curvature vanishes the Lorentzian manifold is locally isomorphic to the Minkowski space. Geodesic lines of a Lorentzian manifold are extremals of the functional of the arc length. In the case of the Minkowski space these extremals are straight lines, and they model free movement (no external forces) of a point or a light ray. In [1] it is proposed to consider the 4-manifold with conformal connection and with the angular metric of the signature (− + ++) as a model of space-time and to determine the dynamics in this model by the system of the Yang-Mills equations. The geometric structure of the manifold with conformal connection is much richer than the structure of the Lorentz manifold, so there is a hope to interpret in the new model not only the movement of such structureless object as a material point, but also the motion of structured objects such as elementary particles. In this interpretation it is naturally to follow the analogy with the already well-studied model, the Lorentzian manifold, and examine, first of all, extremal curves of a 4-manifolds with conformal connection. But, unlike in the Lorentzian manifold, extremal curves in a 4-manifold with conformal connection are very sophisticated structured objects even when the conformal curvature vanishes. Therefore, in this paper we study extremal curves in 4-manifolds with conformal connection of zero conformal curvature of maximum mobility, i.e. in the conformal space. The model of the 4-dimensional conformal space is the quadric
PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF SELECTED INDIGENOUS EDIBLE PLANTS FROM THE TOWNS OF ISABELA, PHILIPPINES

Present investigation conducted phytochemical screening of indigenous edible plants collected from the local markets of the six towns of Southern Isabela Philippines namely: Echague, San Isidro, Jones, San Agustin, Santiago and Cordon. Standard procedures of chemical screening were performed on the selected indigenous food plants scientifically known as: Diplazium esculentum, Amaranthus viridis Linn, Artocarpus altilis, Phaseolus ilocanus Blanco, Amorphophallus campanulatus Blume, Syzygium lineatum (DC.) Merr. & L.M. Perry, Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme, Schizophyllum commune, Colocasia esculenta Lin, Momordica chinensis, Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels, Sesbania grandiflora (Linn.) Pers. ), Cajanus cajan (Linn.) Mill, Phaseolus vulgaris and Psophocarpus tetragonolobus. Wide range of chemical classes was found in the fifteen plant extracts as revealed by the appearance of certain color or precipitate by the chemical tests applied in the phytochemical screening. Such extracts revealed dominantly the occurrence of saponins (10 plants); tannins and flavonoids (9 plants); phenolics and alkaloids (8 plants). Triterpenes (5 plants); glycosides and sterols (3 plants) were also detected. Anthraquinones, diterpenes and anthocyanins were found to be present in two plants for each metabolite. The current findings revealed the richness of the indigenous edible plants with different groups of active compounds that need to be studied for different applications to achieve nutritional security.
EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT, SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT IN SADC COUNTRIES

The study empirically investigates the relationship between financial development, sustainable economic opportunity and ecological footprint in Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. The research was carried out utilizing time series data on financial access (bank branches per 100,000 adults), financial depth (private credit by deposit money banks to GDP), financial efficiency (bank return on equity percentage, after tax), financial stability (bank Z-score), composite index for financial development, ecological footprint indicator and sustainable economic opportunity. Bootstrap panel causality procedure based on meta-analysis in heterogeneous mixed panels was employed to test causal effects. The empirical results indicate the following; (i) causality between financial development, sustainable economic opportunity and ecological footprint varies across countries with different conditions, which leads to the conclusion that SADC countries are heterogeneous in nature, (ii) for the entire panel, financial development causally affects both sustainable economic opportunity and ecological footprint, and (iii) for the entire panel, sustainable economic opportunity causally affects ecological footprint. The findings suggest introduction of modern financial institutions, especially depository and investment institutions that will stimulate financial services and not only provide funds for investments in human and physical capital required to improve sustainable economic opportunity in SADC countries, but also make funds available for research and development of more efficient ecofriendly technologies.
Trading Activity, Quoted Liquidity, and Stock Volatility

In this article, we examine dynamic relationships between volatility and various microstructure measures of trade activity and quoted liquidity for each component stock in the Toronto Stock Exchange 35 Index and for the Toronto 35 Index Participation Shares. When volatility is conditioned on number of trades and quoted liquidity, trading volume provides no incremental explanatory power. Thus, the number of trades appears to be a better proxy for Information flow. Furthermore, investigation into partitioned volume suggests that the number of trades is more effective than the unexpected volume in explaining volatility. Measures of quoted liquidity also play a significant role in explaining intra day volatility. Bid-ask spreads and quote depth are positively and negatively related to volatility, respectively. Consistent with the lack of information signal, no trade outcomes are negatively related to volatility.
Population dynamics and spatial distribution of seedlings and saplings of four dry forest species in Nicaragua.

La variation temporelle des densites de semis et arbrisseaux de quatre essences en foret tropicale seche, Calycophyllum candidissimum, Cedrela odorata, Haemotoxylon brasiletto et Gyroscarpus americanus, ainsi que l'heterogeneite dans l'espace de leur regeneration selon la pente du terrain et l'exposition des houppiers a l'ensoleillement direct ont ete examinees dans le Refuge national de faune de Chacocente, au Nicaragua. Les donnees relatives a chaque individu de plus de 10 cm de hauteur et de moins de 5 cm de diametre a hauteur de poitrine ont ete enregistrees pendant trois annees consecutives, de 2001 a 2003. La densite des semis et arbrisseaux etait fortement variable suivant les essences et dans le temps. La densite moyenne des semis au cours des annees de recensement s'est etablie respectivement a 37, 20 et 4 individus sur 2 ha pour G. americanus, C. candidissimum et H. brasiletto. Aucune regeneration n'a ete observee pour C. odorata. De meme, la densite moyenne des arbrisseaux sur une parcelle de 2 ha s'est etablie respectivement a 55, 20 et 2 pour G. americanus, C. candidissimum et H. brasiletto. La variation de la densite des peuplements de semis et d'arbrisseaux etait positive pour C. candidissimum, indiquant une regeneration continue et avancee pour cette essence. Pour G. americanus et H. brasiletto, le peuplement de semis a baisse alors que celui des arbrisseaux a augmente. Pour G. americanus et C. candidissimum, les densites de semis et d'arbrisseaux etaient variables selon la pente du terrain et l'exposition des houppiers a l'ensoleillement direct, avec pour consequence une distribution par paquets de la regeneration. Il a ete conclu que la regeneration naturelle pourrait ne pas suffire au maintien du stock souhaite de ces essences, et qu'il conviendrait de prendre des mesures de restauration immediates afin de soutenir le processus de regeneration naturelle.
A Statistical Algorithm for Clear-sky Temperature and Humidity Retrievals from TOVS Radiance

In this study a regression algorithm was developed to retrieve the atmospheric parameters from TOVS (TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder) clear-sky radiances. The development of this algorithm requires calculations, at RAOB (RAdiosonde OBservation) sites, of the cross-covariances among fields obtained from rawinsonde observations, satellite radiances, and forecast products. The data were collected in every assimilation cycle for three months from May to August 1997. The retrievals were verified statistically with the co-located RAOB measurements for two periods of experiments. The results show that the bias is comparable to the first guess. Compared with the forecast, the root mean square errors of the retrievals in the troposphere were better by about 1—1.5 K in temperature and 0.2-0.4 g/Kg in the mixing ratio. The root mean square error of retrievals at surface showed an improvement of 0.5-1 K in temperature and 1.5-2 g/Kg in the mixing ratio. The results during the August period were noticeably better than in the June period. This implies that the retrieved profiles were closer to the RAOB profiles than the 12hoour forecast profiles were. The contour field of the retrievals showed a slight correction on the , first guess field both in temperature and the mixing ratio except in the subtropical area. The results are also encouraging in that the retrievals in this case had a local coherence both in the horizontal and vertical.
DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF SPECIAL CARS ON UNEVEN ROADS

Abstract. The method of the dynamic analysis of special cars with a high gravity centre is presented in this article. The method proposed by the authors includes a comprehensive mathematical model of the car, and this model is supplemented with the models of uneven road surface, algorithms to determine the contact point between the tire and the road surface, and programs to perform computer simulations. In the article the mathematical model of the cooperation between road surface and tires are discussed in details. As it is known the road acts on the tire in a form of the reaction forces which should be applied in the concrete point named “contact point C”. Thus, it is very important to determine this point location correctly. For this purpose the special mathematical models of the road surface and the algorithms to define the contact point location are developed. Two mathematical models of the road are discussed – continuous and discrete one. Two algorithms to find the location of the contact point are presented, as well. According to the conception of the authors names of the algorithms refer to the essence of the matter of the procedures assumed. The first of them – named Plane – can be used considering the continuous model of the surface, and the second – named 4Points – in the case of the discrete model of this surface.
Methods of classification models for enterprises insolvency prediction

The thesis attempts to create models of standard classi cation which would enable to predict a bankruptcy of enterprises. Economic aspects of bankruptcy have been presented as well as causes of it. The attention has been devoted to the methods of bankruptcy prediction with emphasis on the discriminant analysis and logit models. The thesis contains a review of literature concerning existing models of early warning. Description and the estimation’s results of own models of bankruptcy have been included in the chapter based on research. It has also presented results of the veri cation of obtained functional models based on a sample validation.
GROWTH AND ENERGETICS OF ARCTIC TERN CHICKS (STERNA-PARADISAEA)

--We studied energy requirements of Arctic Tern chicks (Sterna paradisaea) in Ny ,idesund, Svalbard (79oN, 12oW) with special emphasis on thermoregulatory andactivity costs. We used doubly labeled water to estimate energy expenditure in the field (Ea•w) and made laboratory measurements ofthe different components of total energy requirement Comparison of DLW-estimates with oxygen consumption measurements howed that underestimated total energy expenditure 4.5-16.0% depending on the duration of the experiment. This was probably due to incorporation of isotopes in newly synthesized tissue. Field estimates of total energy expenditure from Ea• • were corrected accordingly. A tern chick model was used to measure operative temperature (T,). At midday T, reached values up to 20oC above ambient emperature (Ta) which ranged from 3.4-9.0oC. Based on the field estimates of Ea•w and Te and the laboratory measurements of basal metabolic rate and thermal conductance, we conclude that there was a considerable nergy saving (456 kJ = 26% of •eq) during the first 10-11 days of life, due to parental brooding. After this period, when the parents stop brooding, the energy required for thermoregulation accounted for only 16% of F_•q. From 10 days after hatching onwards, the energy needed for activity increased considerably, up to 50% of Er,q just before fledging (Day 20). Comparison of the energy budgets of Arctic Tern chicks with the more southerly occurring closely related Common Tern (S. hirundo; Ricklefs and White 1981) revealed only a slightly higher energy expenditure in the Arctic Tern chicks. Received 5 April 1988, accepted 23 November 1988. ENERGY expenditure of chicks living in arctic and antarctic environments has been considered to be dominated by the costs for thermoregulation. Many physiologists have focused on the ability of chicks to cope with low environmental temperatures (e.g. Maher 1964, Norton 1973, Aulie and Steen 1976, Boggs et al. 1977, Pedersen and Steen 1979, Bech et al. 1984, Jargensen and Blix 1985, Taylor 1985, Boersma 1986). However, the abiotic environment of chicks at high latitudes and the contribution of thermoregulatory costs to their total energy expenditure have not been quantified precisely. In addition to estimating thermoregulatory costs in relation to other energy requiring processes, interspecific comparison of closely related species from different latitudes should provide a better understanding of the influence of the polar environment on chick energy require-
Cage vs autologous bone grafting in PLIF surgery for spine fusion- randomized control trial

Introduction: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is been used increasingly for degenerative lumbar spine disease to achieve a 360 degree fusion. With the advent of newer techniques and instrumentations the results are good. Aim: To study the outcome of PLIF with cages and that with bone graft for degenerative Lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Material and Methods: We did a double blinded randomized controlled trial at single center. All patients who met with our inclusion criteria and operated from 2007 to 2010 were included in our study. The patients were followed up serially for 5 years for the final outcome. Modified Oswestry low back score and final CT scan based interpretations were applied. Results: Totally 101 patients were included in the study of which 53 underwent PLIF with titanium cage and rest 48 underwent PLIF with bone grafting. We found the results of union rates in both the groups were gratifying, but early and better results with fewer complications were in group with titanium cages. Conclusion: We fairly conclude that better and faster fusion rates with good ambulation can be achieved with titanium cages rather than bone grafting in degenerative lumbar spine disease.
Branding Melaka as a Complete Green City for State Image Enhancement

The Melaka state government is embarking its vision towards Green City (GC) state by 2020. However, Melaka faces several related sustainable issues such as traffic, public transportation, health problems and others that are big challenges for the Melaka state to implement a complete Green City Branding (GCB). This study was to examine the factors that influence Melaka state towards a complete GCB and to investigate strategies of Melaka state towards a complete GCB. A qualitative approach was utilized by conducting a case study at the Melaka Green Technology Corporation (MGTC) and a semi-structured in-depth interview session was done among fifteen executives to obtain the primary data. Thus, by preventing the Melaka state from being harmed, the benefits of embarking on a complete GCB may be beneficial to the social and economic well-being for the sake of current and future generations. Future studies should be focusing on the hurdles faced by the Melaka state government in implementing a complete GCB because the state government is serious in aiming for the Green City State status.
A decade of research in mofette areas has given us new insights into adaptation of soil microorganisms to abiotic stress / DESETLETJE RAZISKAV NA OBMOČJIH MOFET NAM JE OMOGOČILO NOVE VPOGLEDE V ADAPTACIJO MIKROORGANIZMOV NA ABIOTSKI STRES

Natural CO2 springs (mofettes) represent extreme ecosystems with severe exhalations of ambient temperature geological CO2, inducing long-term soil hypoxia. In this paper an overview of mofette research in the fields of microbial ecology and biodiversity in presented, with a focus on the studies describing the impact of the changed soil gas regime on communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, archaea and bacteria. Along with the fast development of new, highthroughput molecular techniques driving the field of molecular ecology, mofettes enable new insights into the importance of the abiotic environmental factors in regulating soil biodiversity, and the community structure of these functionally important microbial groups.
Use of RAPD markers to detect genetic variability among 39 sugarcane varieties.

In order to increase heterosis in the breeding process, it is necessary to know how similar are the genotypes of the progenitors. RAPDs have been successfully used to measure the genetic relationships of some cultivated species such as sugarcane. 39 sugarcane commercial varieties were analysed using the RAPD technique to measure their genetic similarity in order to identify contrasting progenitors to be included in a breeding program. The fourteen 10-mer primers used generated 57 polymorphic markers. When the genetic similarity using the Dice index was measured, these varieties presented a similarity index mean of 75.6%. They present a wider range of similarity (27.59% to 93.88%) in comparison with results found in other varieties by other studies. The variety CP65-357 was the most different variety of all. With this variety, it was possible to select at least 38 possible combinations that show high contrast.
Genetic variability, characters association and path analysis for yield and fruit quality components in Brinjal

The experiment was done at AB District Seed Farm, BCKV, Kalyani Simanta, West-Bengal, India during autumn-winter 2013-14 and 2014-15. The characters that exhibited higher Phenotypic and Genotypic Co-efficient of variation values were number of fruits per plant (76.86, 75.63%), fruit weight (43.88, 41.34%), harvest index (23.57, 22.29%), fruit yield per plant (53.61, 51.17%), anthocyanin in peel, total phenols and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-l-picryl hydrazyl) free radical scavenging (FRS) capacity indicating that a greater amount of genetic variability was present for these characters which provide greater scope for selection. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for the characters like plant height, days to 1st flowering, days to 50% flowering, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, harvest index, fruit yield per plant, total sugar, anthocyanin in peel, total phenols and DPPH FRS capacity depicting that these traits were under the strong influence of additive gene action and hence simple selection based on phenotypic performance of these traits would be more effective. Fruit yield per plant showed highly positive significant correlation with number of primary branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, harvest index, vitamin-A and total phenols and significant negative correlation with days to 1st flowering, TSS, total sugars and total protein. Number of fruits per plant imparted the highest positive direct effect on yield followed by harvest index, fruit weight, days to 50% flowering and anthocyanin in peel. Number of fruits per plant and days to flowering were emerged as the main casual factors for positive or negative association of several characters with fruit yield per plant. Therefore, selection for fruit yield per plant based on these characters would be reliable.