Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of R&D Expenditure on CO2 Emissions in Austria

The developed financial sector can significantly provide financial services to developing economies by the motive as well as best opportunity of using new advanced technology; it may help them to maintain clean environment with help of environmentally friendly production, thus providing with a higher level of the global environmental quality and further it will boost sustainable development of economies (J. Frankel & Rose, 2002). Financial development would increase R&D investment as to speed up growth, thereby influencing the environmental quality (J. A. Frankel & Romer, 1999). The objective of this research is to determine the effect of R&D expenditure on CO2 emissions in Austria in 1996-2006. We presented a quantitative study using simple linear regression to analyze the data and as a result of this process, we found that R&D expenditure has significant effect to CO2 emissions in Austria in 1996-2006. The fact that R&D influence on CO2 emissions can be positive, negative and insignificant must be taken into account when designing environmental policies and various programs, strategies and initiatives to encourage and fund R&D activities, in the context of environmental protection, government efforts should be strictly focused on the promotion and support of R&D programs directly aimed at reducing CO2 emissions and increasing the use thereof (Petrović & Lobanov, 2020).
Statistical Methods in Bidding Decision Support for Construction Companies

On the border of two phases of a building life cycle (LC), the programming phase (conception and design) and the execution phase, a contractor is selected. A particularly appropriate method of selecting a contractor for the construction market is the tendering system. It is usually based on quality and price criteria. The latter may involve the price (namely, direct costs connected with works realization as well as mark-ups, mainly overhead costs and profit) or cost (based on the life cycle costing (LCC) method of cost efficiency). A contractor’s decision to participate in a tender and to calculate a tender requires an investment of time and company resources. As this decision is often made in a limited time frame and based on the experience and subjective judgement of the contractor, a number of models have been proposed in the literature to support this process. The present paper proposes the use of statistical classification methods. The response obtained from the classification model is a recommendation to participate or not. A database consisting of historical data was used for the analyses. Two models were proposed: the LOG model—using logit regression and the LDA model—using linear discriminant analysis, which obtain better results. In the construction of the LDA model, the equation of the discriminant function was sought by indicating the statistically significant variables. For this purpose, the backward stepwise method was applied, where initially all input variables were introduced, namely, 15 identified bidding factors, and then in subsequent steps, the least statistically significant variables were removed. Finally, six variables (factors) were identified that significantly discriminate between groups: type of works, contractual conditions, project value, need for work, possible participation of subcontractors, and the degree of difficulty of the works. The model proposed in this paper using a discriminant analysis with six input variables achieved good performance. The results obtained prove that it can be used in practice. It should be emphasized, however, that mathematical models cannot replace the decision-maker’s thought process, but they can increase the effectiveness of the bidding decision.
Optimization of Truck-Drone Parcel Delivery Using Metaheuristics

This research addresses a variant of the traveling salesman problem in drone-based delivery systems known as the TSP-D. The TSP-D is a combinatorial optimization problem in which a truck and a drone collaborate to deliver parcels to customers, with the objective of minimizing the total delivery time. Determining the optimal solution is NP-hard; thus, the size of the problems that can be solved optimally is limited. Therefore, metaheuristics are used to solve the problem. Metaheuristics are adaptive and intelligent algorithms that have proved their success in many similar problems. In this study, a solution to the TSP-D problem using the greedy, randomized adaptive search procedure with two local search alternatives and a self-adaptive neighborhood selection scheme is presented. The proposed approach was tested on 200 instances with different properties from the publicly available “Instances of TSP with Drone” benchmark. Results were evaluated against state-of-the-art algorithms. Non-parametric statistical tests concluded that the proposed approach has comparable performance to the rival algorithms (p=0.074) in terms of tour duration. The proposed approach has better or similar performance in instances where the drone and truck have the same speed (α=1).
Relational Aggression toward Ex-Boy/Girlfriend: The Role of Narcissism and Quality of Previous Romantic Relationships among Undergraduate Students

Previous studies have shown that narcissism and the quality of romantic relationships are found to play a major role in relational aggression. However, there was limited research on relational aggression in the context of terminated romantic relationships. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the role of narcissistic personality and the quality of previous romantic relationships on relational aggression toward ex-boy/girlfriend. The participants consisted of 358 undergraduate students between the ages of 17-21 (M = 19.56, SD = 1.27). Narcissistic personality, quality of previous romantic relationships, and relational aggression were measured using questionnaires. The results showed that narcissistic personality and the quality of romantic relationships can explain the relational aggression toward ex- boy/girlfriend. Implications of these results to behavioral science are discussed for further understanding the role of personal and contextual factors as predictors of romantic aggression on a terminated relationship.
The crown: a survey about the Spanish monarchy

ABSTRACT The distinction between constitutional monarchies and republics constitutes a striking divide in how modern democracies are institutionalized. However, the lack of data about citizens' preferences for a monarchic or republican model of democracy has hindered the analysis of public opinion about this topic. This research note introduces a comprehensive survey that gauges citizens' attitudes towards the monarchy in Spain. The survey was fielded in late 2020 and provides unique information such as respondents' preferences about different models of democracy, how they define an ideal monarch, and their evaluations of whether current and former Spanish kings live up to these ideals. We first highlight the unique features of the dataset and provide a detailed account of the variables included. We then illustrate the potential of this survey for the study of political culture through descriptive analyses of some of the key variables included in the dataset.
The Crustal Anisotropy of West Ordos Block and Its Geodynamic Implications

Based on the teleseismic records of the dense broadband seismic array, the crustal anisotropy parameters of the west Ordos block and its adjacent regions were determined with P wave receiver functions. The results indicate that the dominant direction of the fast wave is NEE‐SWW, N‐S in Yingshan block and north Ordos block, N‐S in the south Ordos block, and E‐W in the Qinling–Dabie orogen belt. The fast wave direction of crustal anisotropy in the north Ordos block is distinctly different from that in the south Ordos block, both well related to the major geological events, such as the Paleoproterozoic continent‐to‐continent collision between the Ordos Block and the Yinshan Block, the collision between the Western Block and Eastern Block of the North China Craton and the material migration from the Tibetan plateau in Cenozoic. Our results indicate that the crustal anisotropy in the Ordos block preserves the traces of ancient tectonic movements. Combining the results of previous geophysical studies, we presented a crust‐mantle interaction model to explain the geophysical observations. The most prominent features of the model are the horizontal eastward expansion of the mantle material in the southern Ordos and the vertical upwelling of the mantle material in the northern Ordos. The different modes of movement of the mantle material led to the deep contrasting structures of north and south Ordos, including the crustal anisotropy. The mantle upwelling also implies that the north Ordos block might be currently experiencing craton destruction.
Recent Progress in Taxonomic Studies, Biogeographic Analysis, and Revised Checklist of Amphibians in Indochina

The Indochinese Peninsula is recognized as one of the key global biodiversity hotspots. The amphibian fauna of Indochina (including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand) is one of the richest in the world. About 60% of the known species were described within the last 20 years. We review the literature and our data to assess all recent discoveries and taxonomic changes and compile the first annotated checklist of the amphibian fauna of Indochina since the middle of the 20th century, including updated faunal lists for Vietnam and Thailand. Amphibian checklists for Laos and Cambodia are published for the first time. For each species we provide the following information: scientific name; recommended common name in English; information on type specimens; type locality; data on its distribution within Indochina and beyond; IUCN conservation status; taxonomic comment and the most important references. We review the distribution of each species across the 23 biogeographic subregions of Indochina, estimate the similarity among the regional faunas and evaluate their species richness and endemism. In total we record 423 amphibian species belonging to three orders, 11 families and 71 genera; 199 species (47%) are endemic to Indochina. Comprising 270 known species, the amphibian fauna of Vietnam is the richest (98 endemics, 36.3%), followed by Thailand with 194 species (29 endemics, 14.9%), Laos with 121 species (13 endemics, 10.7%), and Cambodia with 72 species (6 endemics, 8.3%). A cluster analysis of faunal similarity between the subregions shows two major assemblages, divided by the Isthmus of Kra. Within the northern mainland portion of Indochina three clusters can be distinguished: (1) northeastern and northwestern uplands of Vietnam and northern Laos; (2) Northern, Central, and Southern Annamites, the Bolaven Plateau, and central-south Vietnam lowlands; (3) western Indochinese subregions. We identify the Northeast and Northwest Uplands of Vietnam, the Northern, Central and Southern Annamites, the Cardamom Mountains, the mountains of Northeast Thailand, Northern Tenasserim and southern Peninsular Thailand as nine major centers of diversity and endemism of Indochinese amphibians. The analysis of amphibian distribution patterns across Indochina suggests the presence of 14 chorotypes grouped in five major range types. Our results underline the role of Indochina as a key area for amphibian diversity and conservation. Among 423 species of Indochinese amphibians, 152 species (35.9%) were considered as data deficient (DD) or were not evaluated (NE) according to the IUCN Red List criteria; while 76 species (18.0%) were considered vulnerable (VU), endangered (EN) or critically endangered (CR), 20 species (4.7%) were considered to be near threatened (NT), and 175 species (41.4%) to be of the least concern (LC). Our study thus has implications for further conservation efforts on regional and global levels, as well as for understanding the biogeographic patterns of amphibian richness and endemism in Asia.
Podocyte Dedifferentiation and Glomerular Injury Mediated by Lysosome Dysfunction: Role of Acid Ceramidase

PODOCYTE DEDIFFERENTIATION AND GLOMERULAR INJURY MEDIATED BY LYSOSOME DYSFUNCTION: ROLE OF ACID CERAMIDASE By Guangbi Li A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2017 Advisor: Pin-Lan Li, MD, PhD, Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology Cell differentiation and senescence in podocytes are attributed to normal autophagy and associated cellular activities. It is possible that derangement of autophagy under different pathological conditions activates or enhances podocyte dedifferentiation leading to glomerular injury and ultimate glomerular disease. To test this hypothesis, we first tested whether autophagic deficiency due to lysosome dysfunction enhances podocyte dedifferentiation and explored the molecular mechanisms by which this lysosome dysfunction trigger or enhance podocyte dedifferentiation. By Western blot and confocal analysis, lysosome inhibition using an inhibitor or siRNA of V-ATPase inhibitor was found to markedly decrease the epithelial markers (P-cadherin and ZO-1) and increase the mesenchymal markers (FSP-1 and α-SMA). This enhancement of podocyte dedifferentiation (formerly referred to as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT) was accompanied by deficient autophagic flux, as demonstrated by marked increases in LC3B-II and p62/Sequestosome 1. However, inhibition of autophagosome formation using spautin-1 (SP-1) significantly attenuated both enhancement of podocyte dedifferentiation and deficiency of autophagic flux. To explore the mechanisms by which deficient autophagic flux enhances podocyte dedifferentiation, we tested the role of accumulated p62 as a signal hub in this process. Neither the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nor nuclear factor
Malocclusion May Be Attributed to Variation among 10 Genes

Introduction: The goal of this study was to utilize physical characteristics instead of placing subjects in arbitrary diagnostic categories to test for associations with genetic variants. Methods: Forty-four single nucleotide polymorphisms were tested for association with specific cephalometric measurements in thirty-nine University of Pittsburgh Dental Registry and DNA Repository orthodontic subjects. Cephalometric measurements included an evaluation of FMA, a Wits appraisal, and a Steiner’s ANB analysis. Genetic markers were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction and Taqman chemistry. Chi-square and Fischer’s exact tests (α = 0.05) were used in investigation of overrepresentation of marker alleles. Samples were divided into groups based upon having an FMA, Wits, or ANB measurement above or below the mean of the cohort studied. Secondary analysis was done for sex and ethnicity to determine their effect on FMA, Wits, or ANB. Results: An association between FMA measurements was discovered in the following genes: ACTN3, CASP4, ESR1, FGF13, KRT7, and PITX2. An association between Wits measurements was discovered in the following genes: ACTN2, BTBD11, CASP4, FGF3, and FGF10. No associations were found with ANB. Conclusions: Genetic markers in several genes at different loci may contribute to craniofacial deformities in humans. This approach of using physical measurements may be an advantage to placing patients in arbitrary diagnostic categories.
The Scales for Assessing Emotional Disturbance–Third Edition: Reliability and Validity of the Screener

The Scales for Assessing Emotional Disturbance Screener–Third Edition (SAED-3) is a standardized, norm-referenced measure designed to identify school-age students at risk for emotional and behavioral problems. Four studies are reported to address the psychometric status of the SAED-3 Screener. Study 1 examined the internal consistency of the Screener using a sample of 1,430 students. Study 2 investigated the interrater reliability of the Screener results across 123 pairs of teachers who had worked with the student for at least 2 months. Study 3 assessed the extent to which the results from the Screener are consistent over time by examining test–retest reliability. Study 4 examined convergent validity by comparing the Screener to the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Across all studies, samples were drawn from populations of students included in the nationally representative normative sample. The averaged coefficient alpha for the Screener was . 88. Interrater reliability coefficient for the composite was . 83. Test–retest reliability of the composite was . 83. Correlations with the SDQ subscales ranged from . 74 to . 99, and the correlation of the Screener to the SDQ composite was . 99. Limitations and implications for use of the Screener are discussed.
Prevalence of sacroiliac joint dysfunction in college students

Introduction and Aim: Sacroiliac (SI) joint is considered as one of the pain generators in students. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is one of the common sources of low back pain, and many times the SI joint dysfunction mis-lead as the lumbar problem. Students who sit for longer duration cause stress in the sacroiliac joint. So, this study intended to investigate the prevalence and the contributing risk factors amongst students’ population with work-related musculoskeletal problems and also to identify the percentage of SI joint involvement in them.Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 590 students from a private paramedical college, involving full time college students, with age group of 17-27 years, no recent falls or those not on current medications related to any musculoskeletal problems, and students without any congenital problems. Evaluation was done using Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire along with a self-developed demographic questionnaire. The involved students were assessed using questionnaire and sacroiliac joint tests to identify the SI Joint dysfunction. Provocation tests included i) Sacroiliac joint distraction test, ii) SI Compression test iii) Thigh thrust test iv) Faber’s test and v) Gaenslen’s Test. Inference considered was presence of pain in more than 3 test indicates Sacroiliac joint involvement. On completion of assessment, a thank you card was given to all the volunteer students participated in the study. The collected data was filled and analyzed.Results: The study results showed that students with lower back pain also had complaints of neck pain. It was also noted that about 30% of the individuals were positive to the sacroiliac joint tests, among them 93 participants complained of low back pain.Conclusion: This study concluded that 61% of individuals were suffering with musculoskeletal disorders in the selected population. Around 30% of the low back pain participants complained of sacroiliac joint dysfunctions.
The contingency of neighbourhood diversity: Variation of social context using mobile phone application data

This research uses high-density anonymised mobile phone application (MPA) global-positioning system (GPS) data to describe exposure to racial diversity in different social contexts with an aim to clarify the mechanism linking residential diversity to opportunities for diverse social interactions. In particular, it explores the hypothesis that a diverse residential context does not lead to diverse social contact by comparing three exposure measures – residential, observed and interaction – on the census block group level in Chicago. In doing so, it also explores the contribution of activity spaces to opportunities for diverse social contact. The findings show that the exposure to opportunities for diverse social contact measured by MPA data is generally higher than what is implied by residential census data, especially in areas of high residential segregation in the city. Further, measures using MPA data reveal more spatiotemporal heterogeneity of exposure than that implied by the residential context.
Optimum Design of the Underwater Discharge System Based on Surrogate Modeling

Underwater vehicles are equipped with a device for discharging projectiles, called the underwater discharge system. Because these vehicles have limited space, many studies have attempted to reduce the volume of the underwater discharge system while improving its performance. However, owing to the characteristics of the system, the occupied volume and performance conflict with each other. Therefore, minimizing the occupied volume while satisfying the required performance criteria is the most significant requirement in the design stage. To address this, an optimization problem for the underwater discharge system was mathematically formulated and solved using multi-objective genetic algorithms. Additionally, we proposed a method of using the surrogate modeling technique to find an optimum solution quickly. Linear regression, radial basis functions, and artificial neural networks were compared to generate an appropriate surrogate model. To evaluate the applicability of the proposed method, it was applied to optimize the design of an underwater discharge system. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can be effectively utilized to obtain the optimum design of an underwater discharge system within an acceptable time.
Capillary Barriers during Rainfall Events in Pyroclastic Deposits of the Vesuvian Area

In the present paper, the capillary barrier formation at the interface between soil layers, which is characterized by textural discontinuities, has been analyzed. This mechanism has been investigated by means of a finite element model of a two-layer soil stratification. The two considered formations, belonging to the pyroclastic succession of the “Pomici di Base” Plinian eruption (22 ka, Santacroce et al., 2008) of the Somma–Vesuvius volcano, are affected by shallow instability phenomena likely caused by progressive saturation during the rainfall events. This mechanism could be compatible with the formation of capillary barriers at the interface between layers of different grain size distributions during infiltration. One-dimensional infiltration into the stratified soil was parametrically simulated considering rainfall events of increasing intensity and duration. The variations in the suction and degree of saturation over time allowed for the evaluation of stability variations in the layers, which were assumed as part of stratified unsaturated infinite slopes.
Career Risk and Reward from Productivity

This study examines the career rewards and risks from pursuing productivity improvement in local government. Based on a study of city managers and chief administrative officers in cities over 50,000, it finds that almost three-quarters of respondents report that implementing productivity improvement efforts makes them more attractive to both their present and future employers. In addition, almost half find that it helped them get a job in the past. Productivity enhances careers by increasing the reputation and effectiveness of managers in dealing with critical issues facing organizations. Positive career impacts from productivity improvement are strongly correlated with values of professionalism. Organizational cultures of fear and entitlement reduce career rewards, even when controlling for the fewer productivity improvement strategies that are implemented in organizations with such cultures. The study concludes with practical suggestions for increasing the career rewards from productivity improvement.