Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Socio-Economics Social capital and subjective well-being trends: Comparing 11 western European countries

Discovering whether social capital endowments in modern societies have been subjected or not to a process of gradual erosion is one of the most debated topics in recent economic literature. This new stream of research has been inaugurated by Putnam’s pioneering studies about social capital trends in the United States. Recently, a considerable work by Stevenson and Wolfers (2008) put a new emphasis on this topic contending Easterlin’s assessment. Present work is aimed at analyzing the relationship between changes in social capital and subjective well-being in western Europe considering 11 different countries. In particular, I would like to answer questions such as: (1) is social capital in western Europe declining? Is such erosion a general trend of modern societies or is it a characteristic feature of only some ofthem? (2)socialcapitaltrendcanhelptoexplainsubjectivewell-beingtrend? Insodoing,myresearch considersfourdifferentsetofproxiesofsocialcapitalcontrollingfortimeandsocio-demographicaspects in eleven different western European countries using World Values Survey (WVS) data between 1980 and2000.Myresultsareencouraging,showingevidenceofaprobablerelationshipbetweensocialcapital and happiness. Furthermore, my results show that during last 20 years western European citizens have persistently lost conﬁdence in the judicial system, in the church, in armed forces and the police. Finally, consideringsinglecountries,wediscoverthatUnitedKingdomistheonlycountry,amongtheinvestigated ones, with a negative pattern for social capital: the majority of the proxies of social capital in UK declined over the considered period.
Amankwah, Emmanuel and Costabeber, Alessando and Jasim, Omar and Trainer, David and Clare, Jon C. (2017) ESBC: an enhanced modular multilevel converter

This paper presents the Enhanced Series Bridge Converter (ESBC), a hybrid modular multilevel converter with Hbridge front end suitable for high power grid applications. It retains the advantages of other modular multilevel topologies while offering compact structure, making it attractive for offshore stations, back-back HVDC stations, and city centre infeeds. The structure, operating principles and energy management of the converter are discussed. Simulation results from a scaled down medium voltage demonstrator are presented to validate the concept. Keywords—Modular Multilevel Converters, HVDC Transmission, Offshore, H-bridge.
Exploring causality of the association between smoking and Parkinson’s disease

Background: The aim of this paper is to investigate the causality of the inverse association between cigarette smoking and Parkinson’s disease (PD). The main suggested alternatives include a delaying effect of smoking, reverse causality or an unmeasured confounding related to a low-risk-taking personality trait. Methods: A total of 715 incident PD cases were ascertained in a cohort of 220 494 individuals from NeuroEPIC4PD, a prospective European population-based cohort study including 13 centres in eight countries. Smoking habits were recorded at recruitment. We analysed smoking status, duration, and intensity and exposure to passive smoking in relation to PD onset. Results: Former smokers had a 20% decreased risk and current smokers a halved risk of developing PD compared with never smokers. Strong dose–response relationships with smoking intensity and duration were found. Hazard ratios (HRs) for smoking < 20 years were 0.84 [95% conﬁdence interval (CI) 0.67–1.07], 20–29 years 0.73 (95% CI 0.56–0.96) and > 30 years 0.54 (95% CI 0.43–0.36) compared with never smokers. The proportional hazard assumption was veriﬁed, showing no change of risk over time, arguing against a delaying effect. Reverse causality was disproved by the consistency of dose–response relationships among former and current smokers. The inverse association between passive smoking and PD, HR 0.70 (95% CI 0.49–0.99) ruled out the effect of unmeasured confounding. Conclusions: These results are highly suggestive of a true causal link between smoking and PD, although it is not clear which is the chemical compound in cigarette smoking responsible for the biological effect. • NeuroEPIC4PD show a robust inverse association between smoking status at recruitment and Parkinson’s disease (PD) risk dose–response relationship with smoking duration and intensity. • These inverse relationships were replicated across different clinical subtypes. • An inverse association between exposure to passive smoking at home at and risk of PD identiﬁed. • Explanation alternatives to a causal association including a delaying effect of smoking on disease onset, reverse causality, and unmeasured and residual confounding in to reinforce causal inference using observational data.
ISSN 2320-5407 International Journal of Advanced Research (2016), Volume 3, Issue 1095-1101

El-Naggar M.A. The wheat is one of the most strategic crops in Saudi Arabia and in the world which attack with a number of seedborne pathogens like Fusarium fungi that secrete toxins, which in turn contaminate grains. These trials designed to evaluate the β-D-glucan biopolymers as new mycotoxin binder for T-2, HT2, Nivalenol (NIV) and Deoxynivalenol (DON) toxins. Also, study its effect on water-soluble and/or fat-soluble vitamins of wheat. The fungal isolation was conducted from 3 regions of Saudi Arabia; Riyadh, Jeddah and Qassium. The isolation depended on representative random samples of stored wheat grains. The occurrence of Fusarium isolates in Riyadh, Jeddah and Qassium samples was 13, 17 and 12 isolates, respectively. The most predominate species differed according to isolation locate. The identification was by using BIOLOG technique. The evaluation of biopolymer was carried out using toxigenic different Fusarium isolates isolated from wheat grains. The biopolymer reduced the toxins produced by the most toxigenic isolate CulmJ1 and the maximum detoxification by β-D-glucan biopolymer against T-2, HT-2, NIV and DON were 34.1, 40.8, 41.5 and 33.1%, respectively after 45 days. The total trichothecenes inhibited by using biopolymer to 38.7 and 43.2% after 45 days from artificial inoculation with isolates No.Gram-R1 and Culm-J1, respectively. The reduction of trichothecenes types were determined by ELISA. The effect of biopolymer was studied on some vitamins as Thiamine (B1), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic acid (B5), Tocopherols (E) and vitamin (K). All measurement of water –soluble vitamin and fatsoluble vitamin was determined by HPLC. This investigation aims to evaluate a new bio-adsorbent material to reduce some severe mycotoxins, study the applicability utilize on stored wheat grains and their effect on some nutrient value of wheat component as vitamins. Key word: Bio-adsorbent, Mycotoxins, Thiamine, Niacin, Tocopherols, HPLC, ELISA, Fusarium
Rain Attenuation and Doppler Shift Compensation for Satellite Communications

In this paper, we propose and analyze a new multiple access protocol for a local area optical Internet based on a wavelength division multiplexing technique which uses a passive star coupler. The proposed contention-based reser-vation protocol can support variable-length as well as fixed-length messages for transporting Internet packets with one reservation of a minislot at the beginning of a packet transmission. The minislot is used to reserve the data channel on the basis of the slotted ALOHA protocol and the control node ensures subsequent message transmission on the same wavelength. Thus, all messages need not be broken down to many fixed-length packets, and consecutive messages are transmitted through the same wavelength. Moreover, the proposed protocol reduces the collision probability of minis-lots and improves wavelength utilization. We determine the maximum throughput and verify the results with simulation.
BrightLine weld-spatter reduced high speed welding with disk lasers

Due to their numerous advantages in system technology, especially fiber optic beam delivery, solid state lasers have become state of the art for welding. Even so the obstacle of the so called "spatter regime" has been waiting for an industrial solution in order to gain high productivity. In general the spatter regime occurs in a distinct welding speed range. With deep penetration welding applications like in power train the spatter regime shows up at welding speeds of 5 to 6 m/min. Beyond 6 m/min the mass loss due to weld spatter reaches a level resulting in undercuts of the weld seam and potentially internal porosity, both of which reduce the mechanical strength properties of the part. Moreover, if spatter particles are present or dislodged when welded parts are being assembled, the gear box itself may incur in-service damage. This report presents recent results addressing this problem and demonstrates significantly reduced spatter when welding at high speed, which today has only been achievable with CO2 laser beam welding. This new process approach is based on applying the disk laser with a special new beam forming method. The welding speed can be increased significantly and the energy efficiency of the process can be reduced dramatically.
Updated Neoadjuvant Treatment Landscape for Early Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Immunotherapy, Potential Predictive Biomarkers, and Novel Agents

Simple Summary In recent years, several agents have been tested in randomized clinical trials in addition to anthracycline and taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to improve pathological complete response rate and, ultimately, survival outcome. Platinum agents, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and PARP-inhibitors are the most extensively studied, while established predictors of their efficacy are lacking. Based on the biological features of TNBC, the purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the role of platinum agents, immunotherapy, and novel target therapies in the neoadjuvant setting. Moreover, based on safety issues and financial costs, we provide an overview of potential biomarkers associated with increased likelihood of benefit from the addition of platinum, ICIs, and novel target therapies to NACT. Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the absence of hormone receptor and HER2 expression, and therefore a lack of therapeutic targets. Anthracyclines and taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy have historically been the cornerstone of treatment of early TNBC. However, genomic and transcriptomic analyses have suggested that TNBCs include various subtypes, characterized by peculiar genomic drivers and potential therapeutic targets. Therefore, several efforts have been made to expand the therapeutic landscape of early TNBC, leading to the introduction of platinum and immunomodulatory agents into the neoadjuvant setting. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the currently available evidence regarding platinum agents and immune-checkpoint-inhibitors for the neoadjuvant treatment of TNBC, as well as the novel target therapies that are currently being evaluated in this setting. Taking into account the economic issues and the side effects of the expanding therapeutic options, we focus on the potential efficacy biomarkers of the emerging therapies, in order to select the best therapeutic strategy for each specific patient.
A Combination of Two Probiotics, Lactobacillus sporogenes and Clostridium butyricum, Inhibits Colon Cancer Development: An In Vitro Study

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide and, even though several advances have been made in terms of specific treatment, the late-stage detection and the associated side effects of the conventional drugs sustain the search for better treatment alternatives. Probiotics are live microorganisms that have been proven to possess numerous health benefits for human hosts, including anticancer effects. In the present study, the in vitro effect of the association of two probiotic strains (PBT), Lactobacillus sporogenes and Clostridium butyricum, were tested against colon (HT-29 and HCT 116), lung (A549), and liver (HepG2) cancer cell lines, alone or in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5FU). Moreover, the underlying mechanism of PBT and PBT-5FU against the HT-29 cell line was evaluated using the Hoechst 33342 staining, revealing characteristic apoptotic modifications, such as chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, and membrane blebbing. Furthermore, the increase in the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax, Bid, Bad, and Bak proteins and the inhibition of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL proteins were recorded. Collectively, these findings suggest that the two strains of probiotic bacteria, alone or in association with 5FU, induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells and may serve as a potential anticancer treatment.
Half a degree of warming may cause double the economic loss and increase the population affected by floods in China

Based on future scenario data and an improved quantitative natural disaster risk assessment model, in this study, we analysed the response of the characteristics of flood events in China to 1.5°C and 2°C of global warming, quantitatively 10 assessed the population affected and the economic risks of floods, and determined the integrated risk levels. The results indicate that for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, the probability and distribution area of the floods increase with increasing temperature and the influence range of the floods of different levels expands more rapidly under RCP4.5 scenario. The floods mainly affect the social economy in the regions with lower altitudes and smaller slopes in eastern China. As the increase in temperature intensifies, the population affected and the direct economic losses are aggravated. For 2°C of global warming, under RCP8.5 15 scenario, the population affected by floods increases by 2 million and the economic risk nearly doubles compared with 1.5°C of global warming. The economic risk under RCP4.5 scenario even reaches three times that for 1.5°C of global warming, but its proportion to the gross domestic product (GDP) is lower than that under RCP8.5 scenario. Under both scenarios, the ranges of the medium-high flood risk zones gradually expand westward and northward.
Interdecadal Change in the Relationship between the Winter Siberian High and Summer Tropical Cyclone Genesis Frequency over the Western North Pacific

Interdecadal change in the relationship between the winter Siberian high (SH) and tropical cyclone genesis frequency (TCGF) is investigated using observational and reanalysis data. Focus is on the Western North Pacific (WNP) where environmental background associated with TCGF is closely related to the winter SH. It is demonstrated that the relationship presents clear interdecadal change during 1980–2020. A significant negative correlation dominates in the last two decades of the 20th century (P1), but it clearly weakens from the early 2000s onward (P2). Observational evidence shows that such interdecadal change is related dominantly to variations in the air–sea responses associated with the winter SH over the North Pacific. During P1, when the SH is anomalously strengthened, an Aleutian Low (AL) response occurs over the downstream North Pacific, which gradually develops into a meridional dipole distribution pattern consistent with the negative North Pacific Oscillation (NPO) mode during the following spring. The northeasterly wind anomaly over the subtropical North Pacific maintains and further delivers into the tropical Pacific. It favors easterly wind anomaly enhancement over the tropical Pacific around summer and grows into an anticyclonic circulation response in the WNP, which restrains the genesis of TCs. During P2, the eastward shift of the SH anomaly favors a weak AL over the Northeast Pacific followed by a northeastward-shifted anticyclone over the subtropical central-eastern Pacific, which confines the relatively weak northeasterly wind anomalies far away from the tropical Pacific. This was concurrent with a weakening relationship between the SH and WNP TCGF, indicating weaker downstream impacts of the winter SH.
Parameter Identification of 3D Elastic-Plastic Model for Tunnel Engineering Based on Improved Genetic Algorithm

In order to overcome the deficiencies of the existing intelligent displacement back analysis methods, the authors propose a parameter identification method for the 3D elastic-plastic model of tunnel engineering based on an improved genetic algorithm. An improved SVR algorithm is introduced, which solves this problem by transforming the multidimensional output variable regression into a multilayer standard one-dimensional output variable regression; combined with the decimal-coded genetic algorithm, an improved GA-SVR algorithm is formed, and genetic algorithm is used to search for optimal SVR model parameters, in order to establish the optimal nonlinear mapping relationship between the parameters to be identified and the displacement. The genetic algorithm is used to carry out the optimal identification of the parameters to be identified. In order to compare the effect of this improved GA-SVR algorithm, the genetic algorithm is combined with the BP neural network to form the GA-BP algorithm and compile the corresponding calculation program. The two algorithms are applied to the intelligent identification of the parameters of the 3D elastic-plastic model of the same tunnel engineering. The experimental results show that the maximum relative error of the 6 parameters to be identified is 18.51%, only 2 are over 15% and 14 are within 10%, and the average relative error of the 6 parameters is only 10.32%, the minimum is 2.63%; for the GA-BP algorithm, the maximum relative error of identification is 22.73%, 4 are more than 15% and 9 are within 10%, and the average relative error of 6 parameters’ identification is up to 13.91%, and the minimum is 4.64%. The improved GA-SVR algorithm can achieve higher identification accuracy and better calculation efficiency than the GA-BP algorithm and can be used in the identification of similar geotechnical engineering parameters.
Influence of Screen Time during COVID-19 on Health-Related Quality of Life of Early Adolescents

This study investigated the influence of screen time during COVID-19 on the physical and mental domains of the health-related quality of life of early adolescents. A total of 860 early adolescents were recruited. The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey was used to measure their health-related quality of life. The early adolescents reported their average daily time spent using smartphones and computers and watching television over the previous week. The results show that most early adolescents, on average, spent less than 1 h to more than 4 h per day during COVID-19 using smartphones (n = 833, 96.9%) and computers (n = 783, 91.0%), and watching television (n = 804, 93.5%), respectively. Though early male and female adolescents spent a similar amount of time daily on average using smartphones, early male adolescents spent more time using computers and watching television than early female adolescents and reported a significantly lower mean score for three out of the eight scales in the physical and mental domains of health-related quality of life. While health-related quality of life of early female adolescents was negatively associated with time spent using smartphones only, early male adolescents were adversely affected by the time spent using smartphones and computers and watching television (p < 0.05). Therefore, early adolescents who spent more time using display devices during COVID-19 had significantly poorer outcomes in their health-related quality of life, and gender difference was found in the influence of screen time on health-related quality of life.
Hybrid method for short‐term photovoltaic power forecasting based on deep convolutional neural network

Photovoltaic (PV) electric power has been widely employed to satisfy rising energy demands because inexhaustible renewable energy is environmentally friendly. In order to mitigate the impact caused by the uncertainty of solar radiation in grid-connected PV systems, a hybrid method based on a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) is introduced for short-term PV power forecasting. In the proposed method, different frequency components are first decomposed from the historical time series of PV power through variational mode decomposition (VMD). Then, they are constructed into a two-dimensional data form with correlations in both daily and hourly timescales that can be extracted by convolution kernels. Moreover, the time series of residue from VMD is refined into advanced features by a CNN, which could reduce the data size and be easier for further model training along with meteorological elements. The hybrid model has been verified by forecasting the output power of PV arrays with diverse capacities in various hourly timescales, which demonstrates its superiority over commonly used methods.
Use of machine learning methods to classify Universities based on the income structure

In this paper we discuss use of machine learning methods such as self organizing maps, k-means and Ward’s clustering to perform classification of universities based on their income. This classification will allow us to quantitate classification of universities as teaching, research, entrepreneur, etc. which is important tool for government, corporations and general public alike in setting expectation and selecting universities to achieve different goals.
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-Based Flexible Resistive Strain Sensors for Wearable Applications

There is growing attention and rapid development on flexible electronic devices with electronic materials and sensing technology innovations. In particular, strain sensors with high elasticity and stretchability are needed for several potential applications including human entertainment technology, human–machine interface, personal healthcare, and sports performance monitoring, etc. This article presents recent advancements in the development of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based flexible resistive strain sensors for wearable applications. First of all, the article shows that PDMS-based stretchable resistive strain sensors are successfully fabricated by different methods, such as the filtration method, printing technology, micromolding method, coating techniques, and liquid phase mixing. Next, strain sensing performances including stretchability, gauge factor, linearity, and durability are comprehensively demonstrated and compared. Finally, potential applications of PDMS-based flexible resistive strain sensors are also discussed. This review indicates that the era of wearable intelligent electronic systems has arrived.