Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The size distribution of monetary policy effects among South African manufacturing firms: Firm-level evidence from administrative tax data

Monetary policy is believed to have a disproportionate effect on firms, depending on their size. Financially constrained firms with limited access to capital markets are expected to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates; this is characteristic of small firms. This paper empirically tests this hypothesis for firms in the South African manufacturing sector, using the South African Revenue Service's comprehensive tax administrative data set. The interest coverage ratio is used to measure firms' debt service burden, thus capturing the effect of changes in interest rates on the debt burden of firms categorized by size. The results provide evidence to support the argument that the effect of monetary policy decisions on manufacturing firms depends on firm size: smaller firms experience greater effects of interest rate changes. These findings suggest that monetary authorities should consider the balance sheet health of firms, particularly small firms, when making monetary policy decisions.
Ergonomische Gestaltung und Bewertung berührungsfreier Gestensteuerungen für Nutzfahrzeuge

Die beruhrungsfreie Gestensteuerung eroffnet neue Moglichkeiten in der Mensch-Maschine-Interaktion und kann im Nutzfahrzeug zu einer potenziellen Verbesserung des Fahrerarbeitsplatzes beitragen. Diese Arbeit beschreibt einen Entwicklungsprozess, der aus einer Analyse des Nutzungskontexts, der Anwendung ergonomischer Gestaltungsprinzipien sowie einer nutzerzentrierten Evaluation besteht. Das Ergebnis ist eine Gestensteuerung, die fur bestimmte Funktionen eine schnellere, komfortablere und weniger ablenkende Bedienung zulasst und dabei die User Experience steigert.
Tuning the optoelectronic properties of oligothiophenes for solar cell applications by varying the number of cyano and fluoro substituents for solar cell applications: A theoretical study

Chemical modifications through substitution are observed to be effective in controlling the optoelectronic properties of various polymers for different applications. In this study, density functional theory–based calculations are employed to investigate the optoelectronic properties of several oligothiophenes based on poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) by varying the number of fluoro and cyano substituents attached. The resulting structures of the polymer derivatives are affected by the electrostatic interactions between the cyano or fluoro groups and the adjacent thiophene unit. Of the two, cyano substitution results in much lower frontier orbital energies for the same number of substituents. It was observed that a decrease in the highest occupied molecule orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energies correlates very strongly with the number of cyano and fluoro substituents. The effect of the cyano and fluoro groups on the frontier orbitals is also demonstrated and observed to correlate strongly with a lowering of the highest occupied molecule orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energies as the number of substituents is varied. The predicted solar cell characteristics reveal that most cyano and fluoro derivatives will have improved characteristics compared to unsubstituted poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl). This theoretical study shows that by varying the number of electron-withdrawing substituents, the optoelectronic properties may be tuned for solar cell applications.
Effects of High Intensity Interval Training on Hemostasis and Fibrinolysis in Healthy Males: Relationship to Sympathetic Nervous System Activation

The hemostatic response to stress is related to sym pathetic nervous system (SNS) activation, affecting both coagulation and fibrinolysis pathway s. This study measured hemostatic and SNS responses to acute high intensity interval training (HIIT), to assess if these systems are altered by repeated HIIT at 100% peak-power output. Sixteen h ealt y males performed HIIT once and eight performed HIIT six times over two weeks. Vis coelastic hemostatic assays, thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastomet ry, showed post-exercise hypercoagulability ( P<0.001) and elevated plasma catecholamines ( P<0.001) by immunoassay. After six HIIT sessions, post-exercise clot-time ac celeration ( P=0.224) and epinephrine increases ( P=0.088) were no longer significant, but remained co rrelated (r=0.830; P=0.011). These results confirm procoagulant activity induced by HIIT is linked to SNS activity and suggest regular HIIT attenuates clotting accelerati on in association with reduced catecholamines. Future studies should determine if HIIT lessens the risk of thrombotic events elicited by strenuous exertion via reduction in the stress-rela ted hyperadrenergic state.
Breast Cancer Chemoprevention in Primary Care- Assessing Readiness for Change

Purpose: Despite breast cancer chemoprevention recommendations, chemoprevention use remains low. We assess primary care providers’ (PCP) awareness and use of breast cancer chemoprevention, and perceived barriers/ solutions. Methods: We conducted an online survey to investigate PCPs’ awareness and use of breast cancer chemoprevention, and perceived barriers/solutions. 161/426 (38%) eligible PCPs completed the survey. Results: Of providers, 42% reported using breast cancer risk assessment models, only 9% prescribed breast cancer chemoprevention drugs in the past year. Providers using risk models were more likely to have made a breast cancer diagnosis in the past year (77% vs. 56%; p=0.01). Providers prescribed chemoprevention were older (mean 49 years vs. 40; p=0.01), more likely to be in practice ≥ 10 years (71% vs. 43%; p=0.04) and full time (79% vs. 49%; P=0.04); they all had diagnosed breast cancer in the past year (100% vs. 61%; p=0.002). Top three reported barriers to chemoprevention guideline adherence were lack of knowledge about chemoprevention drugs, unaware of chemoprevention guidelines, and inability to identify high-risk women. After adjustment for other provider characteristics and barriers, the PCPs who are unaware of chemoprevention guidelines have 3.1 increased odds (CI: 1.4-6.7) for not using risk assessment models. If high-risk women can be identified, 85% of respondents prefer referring appropriate women to a high-risk breast clinic. Conclusion: PCPs infrequently assess breast cancer risk and rarely prescribe chemoprevention drugs for risk reduction. PCP education on breast cancer prevention and establishing high-risk breast clinics may improve breast cancer chemoprevention uptake.
Previsão Inteligente de Séries Temporais Baseada em Redes Neuro-Fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno Evolutivas Distribuídas

This paper proposes an evolving methodology based on Neuro-Fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno networks (NF-TS) distributed for time series forecasting. This proposed approach extracts the unobservable components from time series. Then, the forecast is performed separately for each component, and there is an NF-TS associated with each of these patterns, a fact that highlights the distributed characteristics of proposed approach. The NF-TS are still evolving, i.e., using the data of components to adapt and adjust their structure, where the amount of fuzzy rules of that network can increase or be reduced according to the behavior of components. The method used to extract the components is based on Singular Spectral Analysis technique. The proposed methodology was evaluated and compared with other similar techniques applied for series forecasting, presenting promising results. Resumo: Esse trabalho propõe uma metodologia evolutiva baseada em redes Neuro-Fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno (NF-TS) distribúıdas para a previsão de séries temporais. Essa abordagem proposta extrai as componentes não-observáveis a partir de uma série temporal. Em seguida, a previsão de cada componente separadamente é realizada, sendo que há uma NF-TS associada a cada um desses padrões, fato que destaca a caracteŕıstica distribúıda da proposta. As NF-TS são ainda evolutivas, ou seja, usam os dados dessas componentes para adaptar e ajustar sua estrutura, sendo que a quantidade de regras fuzzy dessa rede pode aumentar ou ser reduzida conforme o comportamento das componentes. O método utilizado para extrair as componentes é baseado na técnica de Análise Espectral Singular. A metodologia proposta foi avaliada e comparada com outras técnicas semelhantes aplicadas para a previsão de séries, apresentando resultados promissores.
Effect of Platelets Rich Plasma on Skin Rejuvenation

Introduction Autologous plasma-rich platelet (PRP) is a human platelet concentrated product which is in low volume of plasma. Using PRP in rejuvenation and resolution of some cosmetic problems has been already popular in many countries and also in Iran. As no study performed in this field in Iran and regarding the high prevalence of using PRP in society with no validate references in the case of skin rejuvenation, we are trying to research clinical effects of PRP facial rejuvenation. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 30 volunteer persons with Glogau score of II and III were participated. Appropriate amount of blood obtained in two sessions with 3 months interval and used in order to produce plasma-rich platelet. Immediately after production of platelets, platelet concentrated product injected in sterile condition and 4 ˚C by an expert physician. Injections were 1 cc in upper zone of face, 1 cc in cheeks and 1cc in lower zone of face and were sub-dermal and intra-dermal (Threading technique). Injections were done in two sessions with 3 months interval. Before the beginning and after the end of treatment, digital photography of patients provided. Evaluation of wrinkle improvement was done on the basis of personal judgment of patient and observation of before and after treatment photography by therapeutic physician and a dermatologist who is unaware of order of photos. Results: Mean age of patients was 45.1±6.89 years and in the range of 35 to 55 years. In 3 and 6 months follow-ups, most of patients reported moderate to excellent improvement in periorbital darkness, periorbital wrinkle, nasolabial fold and skin rigidity. Also, in general evaluation of patients in 3 and 6 months follow-ups, most of the patients reported moderate to excellent improvement and only 17% of patients reported no improvement or mild improvement. In therapeutic physician assessment, in 3 and 6 months follow-ups, mild to moderate improvement in periorbital wrinkle and dyschromia in most of the patients reported. But in nasolabial fold assessment, no improvement reported in most of them. In second physician assessment, no improvement or mild improvement was observed in periorbital wrinkle in 3 and 6 months follow-ups. For dyschromia, mild to moderate improvement and for nasolabial fold, no improvement were reported in most of the patients. Conclusion: In this study, patients’ improvement in the assessments of the patients, therapeutic physician and second physician (unaware of study) observed variably which was the most in patients’ satisfaction evaluation. Additionally, best effects of PRP in rejuvenation were specified to improvement of periorbital darkness and decreasing skin wrinkle. Keywords: Facial skin rejuvenation, Plasma-rich platelet.
Suppression of Soil Dust Emissions from Large-Scale Construction Sites Using Starch and Polyvinyl Alcohol

Soil dust emitted from large-scale construction sites in urban areas impacts air quality and creates a severe health threat to residents. Water spraying is commonly practiced to lower dust emission in construction sites, but its long-term effectiveness is questionable. In this study the utility of starch, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and a blend of starch and PVA in various proportions was investigated for the suppression of soil dust emissions at construction sites in Seoul. The efficiency of each dust suppressant was tested with test soil samples in a laboratory-scale wind tunnel box under different concentrations of suppressants and soil textures. Starch and PVA showed superior ability to suppress soil dust emissions compared to moistening bare soil, resulting in PM10 lower than the daily limit values of 30 μg/m3. PVA showed higher soil dust suppression capability for all conditions over starch. Test soils sprayed with dust suppressants significantly improved aggregate stability compared to untreated soils.
Current Trends in Innovative Development of Higher Education

The relevance of the studied problem is due to questions of improving the trends in the innovative development of higher education, since the methodological level of its development does not fully reveal their essence. The analysis of conceptual views on this issue points to many arguments, which indicates a divergence of theoretical positions. The purpose of the article is to study the trends in the innovative development of higher education, the influence of higher education factors and other factors of innovative development in terms of economic growth.
Prison Term Prediction on Criminal Case Description with Deep Learning

: The task of prison term prediction is to predict the term of penalty based on textual fact description for a certain type of criminal case. Recent advances in deep learning frameworks inspire us to propose a two-step method to address this problem. To obtain a better understanding and more specific representation of the legal texts, we summarize a judgment model according to relevant law articles and then apply it in the extraction of case feature from judgment documents. By formalizing prison term prediction as a regression problem, we adopt the linear regression model and the neural network model to train the prison term predictor. In experiments, we construct a real-world dataset of theft case judgment documents. Experimental results demonstrate that our method can effectively extract judgment-specific case features from textual fact descriptions. The best performance of the proposed predictor is obtained with a mean absolute error of 3.2087 months, and the accuracy of 72.54% and 90.01% at the error upper bounds of three and six months, respectively. corresponding judgment model through comprehensive analysis of relevant law articles and the structure of judgment document. Then we employ state-of-the-art neural network models to build sentence-level multiple binary classifiers, each of which focusing on a specific feature based on the judgment model. After merging sentence-level features into a case-level feature, we adopt the linear regression model and the neural network model to solve the PTP problem. For experiments, we collect and construct a real-world dataset containing more than 40,000 judgment documents of theft cases published by the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China. Experimental results demonstrate that our method can effectively extract judgment-specific case features from textual fact descriptions. The proposed predictor obtains the best performance of 3.2087 months in mean absolute error, and 72.54% and 90.01% in accuracy when the error upper bound being set to three and six months, respectively.
The influence of virtual reality on design process creativity in basic design studios

ABSTRACT With the recent advancements in digital technologies, the design studios are transformed to virtual environments that offer both to design students and instructors a broader perspective in understanding the design process. As an integral part of design process, the supporting virtual tools enhance creativity in basic design studios. This study examines the influence of immersive and non-immersive virtual design environments on design process creativity in the first year basic design studio, through observing the factors related to creativity as the flow state and motivation. Consequently, an experiment is conducted to investigate the relationships between spatial ability, flow state and motivation in immersive and non-immersive virtual design environments. Forty-two first-year undergraduate basic design students participated in the experiment. The data analysis demonstrated that the immersive virtual design environment facilitates participants’ design process creativity more than the non-immersive one. Also, the findings indicated a positive strong correlation between motivations and flow state and a positive weak correlation between spatial ability and flow state. Study results contributed to a greater understanding of implementing immersive virtual reality as a creativity supporting tool.
Desenvolvimento de ferramentas de análise da dinâmica de forças de tração durante o ciclo de contração de cardiomiócitos isolados in vitro

The mechanical properties of the heart have been studied studied extensively in recent years, both at organ level, muscle tissue, and recently at the cellular level. Heart cells, or cardiomyocytes, are cell of the heart muscle, which is responsible for the permanent blood flow in the body, making up the atria and ventricles, chambers where blood enters and is pumped into the heart. The use of cardiomyocytes in scientific experiments has brought several experimental advantages, as well as the possibility of studying isolated cells from different areas of the heart. In the present work an analysis methodology was developed capable of measuring parameters related to the dynamics of traction forces os isolated cardiomyocytes during the contraction cycles, aiming to generate a better understanding in the area of cardiac regeneration. For this we used two cardiomyocytes line, WT, which are from healthy cardiomyocytes, an KO-CRP3, which are from cardiomyocytes that have malfunction in cardiac muscle architecture. The developed methodology aims to analyze parameters such as the pulse rate of the cardiomyocytes, the alignment of the traction forces during the contraction cycles and the power performed by the cardiomyocytes during the contraction and relaxation. These parameters were analyzed under two conditions, with cardiomyocytes at basal state, and stimulated by a drug, isoproterenol. Thus it was possible to analyze the mechanical response of cardiomyocytes to the drug used, and the difference in the behavior of teh parameters between the cardiomyocytes line.
Managing teacher absenteeism: Lessons from independent primary schools in Gauteng, South Africa

Teacher absenteeism is of concern in today’s developing educational climate. In South Africa, where education itself is a contested terrain, and decades of disadvantage still impact resources and skills, despite democracy, it is a compelling challenge. This paper, based on a study of how independent primary schools in Gauteng, South Africa, manage teacher absenteeism, offers an analysis of the management practices employed so that some lessons can be extrapolated. The paper draws from real teaching experience in South African primary schools, noting the huge impact of teacher absenteeism and its implications for teaching and learning. Five co-educational (with both genders), independent primary schools were selected for this qualitative study, using Christopher Hood’s Cultural-Theory Framework, document analysis, interviews and observation. Findings homed in on processes used to track teacher attendance policies; directives and instruments that regulate teacher absenteeism; factors that influence teacher absenteeism; leadership styles; rewards for good attendance; penalties for abusing leave, and strategies and measures to manage teacher absenteeism. We conclude with recommendations in response to this challenge and emphasise the need for further research.Keywords: primary school; strategies for management; teacher absenteeism; teaching and learning
Robotic Light Touch Assists Human Balance Control During Maximum Forward Reaching

Objective We investigated how light interpersonal touch (IPT) provided by a robotic system supports human individuals performing a challenging balance task compared to IPT provided by a human partner. Background IPT augments the control of body balance in contact receivers without a provision of mechanical body weight support. The nature of the processes governing the social haptic interaction, whether they are predominantly reactive or predictive, is uncertain. Method Ten healthy adult individuals performed maximum forward reaching (MFR) without visual feedback while standing upright. We evaluated their control of reaching behavior and of body balance during IPT provided by either another human individual or by a robotic system in two alternative control modes (reactive vs. predictive). Results Reaching amplitude was not altered by any condition but all IPT conditions showed reduced body sway in the MFR end-state. Changes in reaching behavior under robotic IPT conditions, such as lower speed and straighter direction, were linked to reduced body sway. An Index of Performance expressed a potential trade-off between speed and accuracy with lower bitrate in the IPT conditions. Conclusion The robotic IPT system was as supportive as human IPT. Robotic IPT seemed to afford more specific adjustments in the human contact receiver, such as trading reduced speed for increased accuracy, to meet the intrinsic demands and constraints of the robotic system or the demands of the social context when in contact with a human contact provider.
Children's Participation in Urban Planning and Design: A Systematic Review

Abstract:Urban planning and design play a central role in determining the quality of the built environment and the ways families with children can access and use public space. However, there remains an ongoing need to clarify children's involvement in planning. This paper carries out a systematic literature review of 30 studies published between 1990-2017 in order to address and review the current state of the art of participatory approaches in urban planning to create child-focused urban environments. This systematic review resulted in (1) a comprehensive, quantitative picture of the current studies focusing on the participation of children; (2) an effective way to conceptualize children in planning; (3) a list of requirements for the successful practice of planning with children and its relation to sustainable communities; (4) discussion of the link between urban planning, methods, approaches, and outcomes for child-focused urban environments; (5) identification of existing gaps in the literature; and (6) examination of the role of policies and the link between policies, urban planning, methods, and approaches for further research.