Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan—Agarose Composite Films

Nowadays, there is a growing interest to develop biodegradable functional composite materials for food packaging and biomedicine applications from renewable sources. Some composite films were prepared by the casting method using chitosan (CS) and agarose (AG) in different mass ratios. The composite films were analyzed for physical-chemical-mechanical properties including tensile strength (TS), elongation-at-break (EB), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), swelling ratio, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and morphology observations. The antibacterial properties of the composite films were also evaluated. The obtained results reveal that an addition of AG in varied proportions to a CS solution leads to an enhancement of the composite film’s tensile strength, elongation-at-break, and water vapor transmission rate. The composite film with an agarose mass concentration of 60% was of the highest water uptake capacity. These improvements can be explained by the chemical structures of the new composite films, which contain hydrogen bonding interactions between the chitosan and agarose as shown by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and the micro-pore structures as observed with optical microscopes and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antibacterial results demonstrated that the films with agarose mass concentrations ranging from 0% to 60% possessed antibacterial properties. These results indicate that these composite films, especially the composite film with an agarose mass concentration of 60%, exhibit excellent potential to be used in food packaging and biomedical materials.
Intrasaccular Flow-Disruption Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: Preliminary Results of a Multicenter Clinical Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with unfavorable anatomy (large aneurysms, wide-neck) is frequently challenging and is also associated with a high incidence of significant recurrences. The WEB, an intrasaccular flow disrupter, was designed for use in this type of aneurysm. We report our early experience with this device in this multicenter study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with 21 aneurysms were treated by using the WEB in 3 European centers. The ability to successfully deploy the WEB, immediate posttreatment angiographic results, adverse events, clinical outcome, and angiographic follow-up results were recorded. RESULTS: Aneurysm location was the ICA (4/21, 19.1%), MCA (8/21, 38.1%), AcomA (5/21, 23.8%), and BA (4/21, 19.1%). No treatment failures were reported. Treatment was performed exclusively with the WEB in 16/21 (76.2%) patients. Additional treatment (coiling and/or stent placement) was used in 5/21 (23.8%) patients. One patient (4.8%) experienced transient clinical worsening (mRS 1 at 1 month, mRS 0 at 3 months) related to a thromboembolic event. Inadvertent detachment of the WEB was observed, and the WEB was retrieved in 1 patient, without adverse effects. In the short-term follow-up (2–8 months), adequate occlusion (total occlusion or neck remnant) was observed in 80.0% of aneurysms. CONCLUSIONS: Intrasaccular flow disruption is a new endovascular approach for aneurysm treatment. In our preliminary experience, this treatment was feasible and mostly used in bifurcation aneurysms (MCA, BA, ICA) with unfavorable anatomy. Further studies are needed to precisely evaluate the indications, safety, and efficacy of this new technique.
The Intergenerational Earnings and Income Mobility of Canadian Men: Evidence from Longitudinal Income Tax Data

Our objective is to obtain an accurate estimate of the degree of intergenerational income mobility in Canada. We use income tax information on about 400,000 father-son pairs, and find intergenerational earnings elasticities to be about 0.2. Earnings mobility tends to be slightly greater than income mobility, but non- parametric techniques uncover significant non-linearities in both of these relationships. Intergenerational earnings mobilty is greater at the lower end of the income distribution than at the upper end, and displays an inverted V-shape elsewhere. Intergenerational income mobility follows roughly the same pattern, but is much lower at the top of the income distribution.
What Drove the Mass Migrations from Europe in the Late Nineteenth Century?

This paper examines the determinants of overseas mass migration from eleven European countries in the late 19th century. They typically passed through something like a half-century life-cycle: a steep rise in emigration rates from low levels in preindustrial decades, followed by a plateau of very high emigration, and then a subsequent fall during more mature stages of industrialization. Using a new real wage data base, we are able to isolate the impact of economic and demographic forces (associated with the industrial revolution) on this emigration experience. The steep rise in emigration rates was driven mainly by fertility boom and infant mortality decline, events early in the demographic transition which, with a two decade lag, tended to glut the age cohort most responsive to wage gaps between the labor-abundant Old World and the labor-scarce New World. The steep fall in emigration rates was driven mainly by the forces of convergence and catching up -- more rapid real wage growth at home encouraged an increasingly large share to stay at home. Since we show elsewhere that these mass migrations contributed significantly to an impressive late 19th century economic convergence, they can be viewed as an important part of a long run equilibrium adjustment manifested by an evolving global labor market.
Language models for a spelled letter recognizer

In some speech recognition applications, it is reasonable to constrain the search space of a speech recognizer to a large but finite set of sentences. We demonstrate the problem on a spelling task, where the recognition of continuously spelled last names is constrained to 110000 entries (=43000 unique names) of a telephone book. Several techniques to address this problem are compared: recognition without any language model, bigrams, functions to map a hypothesis onto a legal string, n-best lists, and finally a newly developed method which integrates all constraints directly into the search process within reasonable memory and time bounds. The baseline result of 56% string accuracy is improved to 62, 85, 88, and 92%, respectively.
Characterization of thermal structure and conditions for overshooting of tropical and extratropical cyclones with GPS radio occultation

Abstract. The thermal structure of tropical cyclones (TCs) in different ocean basins is studied using global positioning system (GPS) radio occultation (RO) measurements co-located with TCs' best tracks. The objective of this work is to understand the mutual influence of TCs and atmospheric parameters in different regions. We selected more than 20 000 GPS RO profiles co-located with TCs in a time window of 6 h and space window of 600 km from the TC center in the period 2001–2012 and classified them by intensity of the cyclone and by ocean basin. The results show that TCs have different characteristics depending on the basin, which affects the cloud top altitude and the TC thermal structure which usually shows a negative temperature anomaly near the cloud top altitude. In the Northern Hemisphere ocean basins, the temperature anomaly becomes positive above the cloud top while in the Southern Hemisphere ocean basins it stays negative up to about 25 km in altitude. Furthermore, in the Southern Hemisphere the storms reach higher cloud top altitudes than in the Northern Hemisphere ocean basins, indicating that possible overshootings overpass the climatological tropopause more deeply at extratropical latitudes. The comparison of the TC thermal structure with the respective monthly mean tropopause altitude allows for a detailed analysis of the probability for possible overshooting. While the co-locations between GPS ROs and TC tracks are well distributed in all the ocean basins, conditions for possible overshootings are found to be more frequent in the Southern Hemisphere basins and in the northern Indian Ocean basin. However, the number of possible overshootings for high intensity storms (i.e., TC categories 1–5) is the highest in the western Pacific Ocean basin.
Gut Peptide GLP-1 and Its Analogue, Exendin-4, Decrease Alcohol Intake and Reward

Glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gut- and neuro-peptide with an important role in the regulation of food intake and glucose metabolism. Interestingly, GLP-1 receptors (GLP-1R) are expressed in key mesolimbic reward areas (including the ventral tegmental area, VTA), innervated by hindbrain GLP-1 neurons. Recently GLP-1 has emerged as a potential regulator of food reward behavior, an effect driven by the mesolimbic GLP-1Rs. Its role in other reward behaviors remains largely unexplored. Since a considerable overlap has been suggested for circuitry controlling reward behavior derived from food and alcohol we hypothesized that GLP-1 and GLP-1Rs could regulate alcohol intake and alcohol reward. We sought to determine whether GLP-1 or its clinically safe stable analogue, Exendin-4, reduce alcohol intake and reward. To determine the potential role of the endogenous GLP-1 in alcohol intake we evaluated whether GLP-1R antagonist, Exendin 9-39, can increase alcohol intake. Furthermore, we set out to evaluate whether VTA GLP-1R activation is sufficient to reduce alcohol intake. Male Wistar rats injected peripherally with GLP-1 or Exendin-4 reduced their alcohol intake in an intermittent access two bottle free choice drinking model. Importantly, a contribution of endogenously released GLP-1 is highlighted by our observation that blockade of GLP-1 receptors alone resulted in an increased alcohol intake. Furthermore, GLP-1 injection reduced alcohol reward in the alcohol conditioned place preference test in mice. To evaluate the neuroanatomical substrate linking GLP-1 with alcohol intake/reward, we selectively microinjected GLP-1 or Exendin 4 into the VTA. This direct stimulation of the VTA GLP-1 receptors potently reduced alcohol intake. Our findings implicate GLP-1R signaling as a novel modulator of alcohol intake and reward. We show for the first time that VTA GLP-1R stimulation leads to reduced alcohol intake. Considering that GLP-1 analogues are already approved for clinical use, this places the GLP system as an exciting new potential therapeutic target for alcohol use disorders.
Economic Instruments of Pollution Control in an Imperfect World

Economic instruments of pollution control - an introduction. Part I Economics of pollution control policy: earmarking of pollution charges and the sub-optimality of the Piguovian tax stochastic general equilibrium and environmental policy choice effectiveness and efficiency - an assessment of China's environmental protection policy. Part II Carbon Dioxide Emissions Economic Instruments of control: policy choices of internatinal carbon dioxide emissions control a dynamic general equilibrium model of the Chinese economy projection of China's carbon dioxide emissions policy options of carbon dioxide emissions control in China.
Full Genome Sequencing of Corriparta Virus, Identifies California Mosquito Pool Virus as a Member of the Corriparta virus Species

The species Corriparta virus (CORV), within the genus Orbivirus, family Reoviridae, currently contains six virus strains: corriparta virus MRM1 (CORV-MRM1); CS0109; V654; V370; Acado virus and Jacareacanga virus. However, lack of neutralization assays, or reference genome sequence data has prevented further analysis of their intra-serogroup/species relationships and identification of individual serotypes. We report whole-genome sequence data for CORV-MRM1, which was isolated in 1960 in Australia. Comparisons of the conserved, polymerase (VP1), sub-core-shell ‘T2’ and core-surface ‘T13’ proteins encoded by genome segments 1, 2 and 8 (Seg-1, Seg-2 and Seg-8) respectively, show that this virus groups with the other mosquito borne orbiviruses. However, highest levels of nt/aa sequence identity (75.9%/91.6% in Seg-2/T2: 77.6%/91.7% in Seg-8/T13, respectively) were detected between CORV-MRM1 and California mosquito pool virus (CMPV), an orbivirus isolated in the USA in 1974, showing that they belong to the same virus species. The data presented here identify CMPV as a member of the Corriparta virus species and will facilitate identification of additional CORV isolates, diagnostic assay design and epidemiological studies.
Service personalization and loyalty

Purpose – To investigate the effect of service personalization on loyalty, and to measure some of the psychological dynamics of the process.Design/methodology/approach – Structural equation modeling.Findings – It is shown that the effect of service personalization on loyalty exists, but that the effect is not all direct. Personalization works through improving service satisfaction and trust. Personalization and improved communication act together in such a way that they account for the variance in loyalty that would be otherwise explained by corporate image.Research limitations/implications – Data, though comprising a very large probability sample, are from one economic sector in one European country.Practical implications – Service personalization is a powerful way to retain customers in its own right. In addition, the other results show that personalized service can partially replace the effects of communication and corporate image on loyalty. This argues that personalized service can be a powerful addi.
Term declaration logic and generalised composita

A generalization of a version of order-sorted logic and an abstract axiomatic setting for the treatment of substitution are given. The two ideas are shown to be related, an equational specification of term declaration logic being a presentation of a finitary generalized composition. The automatic approach to substitution is compared with some other approaches. The relationship between algebraic theories and standard equational logic is reviewed. One of the aims is to lay the foundations for a generalization of these connections to connections between term declaration logic and finitary generalized composita and a suitable generalization of algebraic theories. <<ETX>>
DEMOGRAPHIC INFLUENCES ON BASELINE AND DERIVED SCORES FROM THE TRAIL MAKING TEST IN HEALTHY OLDER AUSTRALIAN ADULTS

Normative data from 363 community-dwelling older adults (60–89 years) is presented in relation to performance on the Trail Making Test. Age and years of education were identified as significantly impacting on performance. Therefore, data are presented for four separate age groups (60–69; 70–74; 75–79; 80–89) and two different lengths of education. In addition to data for Trails A and B, information is provided for the difference and ratio scores, which are increasingly used by clinicians to interpret executive function.
Aggregate bandwidth estimation in stored video distribution systems

Multimedia applications like video on demand, distance learning, internet video broadcast, etc. will play a fundamental role in future broadband networks. A common aspect of such applications is the transmission of video streams that require a sustained relatively high bandwidth with stringent requirements of quality of service. In this paper various original algorithms for evaluating, in a video distribution system, a statistical estimation of aggregate bandwidth needed by a given number of smoothed video streams are proposed and discussed. The variable bit rate traffic generated by each video stream is characterized by its marginal distribution and by conditional probabilities between rates of temporary closed streams. The developed iterative algorithms evaluate an upper and lower bound of needed bandwidth for guaranteeing a given loss probability. The obtained results are compared with simulations and with other results, based on similar assumptions, already presented in the literature. Some considerations on the developed algorithms are made, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed methods. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Are Obesity-Related Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes Autoimmune Diseases?

Obesity and associated insulin resistance predispose individuals to develop chronic metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Although these disorders affect a significant proportion of the global population, the underlying mechanisms of disease remain poorly understood. The discovery of elevated tumor necrosis factor-α in adipose tissue as an inducer of obesity-associated insulin resistance marked a new era of understanding that a subclinical inflammatory process underlies the insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction that precedes type 2 diabetes. Advances in the field identified components of both the innate and adaptive immune response as key players in regulating such inflammatory processes. As antigen specificity is a hallmark of an adaptive immune response, its role in modulating the chronic inflammation that accompanies obesity and type 2 diabetes begs the question of whether insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes can have autoimmune components. In this Perspective, we summarize current data that pertain to the activation and perpetuation of adaptive immune responses during obesity and discuss key missing links and potential mechanisms for obesity-related insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes to be considered as potential autoimmune diseases.
Physically-based animation for realistic interactions between tree branches and raindrops

This paper proposes a novel approach to animation realistic interactions between tree branches and raindrops in a physically-based way. A new elastic model using a three-prism structures is presented to flexibly bend and twist tree branches naturally in the first time. Various distinct forms of interactions when or after raindrops hitting on tree branches can be well simulated using a new efficient technique specially designed for liquid motion on non-rigid objects with hydrophilic surfaces. Experimental results indicate that our approach can be used to simulate the interactions between tree branches and raindrops efficiently and realistically.
By Force of Habit: A Consumption‐Based Explanation of Aggregate Stock Market Behavior

We present a consumption‐based model that explains a wide variety of dynamic asset pricing phenomena, including the procyclical variation of stock prices, the long‐horizon predictability of excess stock returns, and the countercyclical variation of stock market volatility. The model captures much of the history of stock prices from consumption data. It explains the short‐and long‐run equity premium puzzles despite a low and constant risk‐free rate. The results are essentially the same whether we model stocks as a claim to the consumption stream or as a claim to volatile dividends poorly corelated with consumption. The model is driven by an independently and identically distributed consumption growth process and adds a slow ‐moving external habit to the standard power utility function. These features generate slow countercyclical variation in risk premia. The model posits a fundamentally novel description of risk premia. Investors fear stocks primarily because they do poorly in recessions unrelated to the risks of long‐run average consumption growth.
The role of mothers' authoritative parenting in adolescent attachment and social relationships

Title of Thesis: THE ROLE OF MOTHERS’ AUTHORITATIVE PARENTING IN ADOLESCENT ATTACHMENT AND SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS Kathryn Maria Beck, Master of Science, 2011 Thesis Directed by: Associate Professor Leigh A. Leslie Department of Family Science Research has shown the increasing importance of peer relationships for adolescents and a variety of positive outcomes for adolescents with quality, supportive friendships. The literature shows that both parenting style and attachment security influence adolescent social support. However, the mechanism through which parenting style influences adolescent social support remains undetermined. The current study, utilizing a clinical sample of 118 mothers and adolescents, explores the role of adolescent attachment security as a mediating variable for this relationship. Authoritative parenting is assessed using the Parenting Practices Questionnaire (Robinson et al., 1995); attachment using the Relationship Questionnaire (Hazan & Shaver, 1987); and social support using the Social Support Questionnaire (Procidano & Heller, 1983). The findings indicate no significant relationship between mothers’ authoritative parenting and adolescent attachment security, but a positive relationship between adolescent attachment security and social support. The possible meaning of the lack of significant relationship for this sample is discussed. THE ROLE OF MOTHERS’ AUTHORITATIVE PARENTING IN ADOLESCENT ATTACHMENT AND SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS By Kathryn Maria Beck Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science 2011
Sheepskin Effects in the Returns to Education by Ethnic Group: Evidence from Northeastern Brazil

The purpose of this paper is to examine inter-ethnic differences in the returns to education for the three main ethnic groups in the Metropolitan Region of Salvador (MRS), Bahia state, in Northeastern Brazil. Our results suggest that sheepskin effects take the traditional form of an additional return to the completion of a diploma for whites, whereas for blacks the additional return stems entirely from the sheepskin-like effect associated with admission to university. We show that it is possible to explain the observed pattern of inter-ethnic differences in the returns to education using a model of statistical discrimination that builds on the work of S. Lundberg and R. Startz and incorporates differences in the cost of acquiring an education that are usually associated with signaling models.
THE RELIABILITY OF TOOL LIFE PREDICTION MODEL IN END MILLING

This paper describes the tool life prediction model when end milling AISI H13 tool steel using P10 TiN coated carbide tool. The development of the model utilizes the data set from the Taguchi method design of experiment with L18(2 1 x3 7 ) orthogonal array. The effects of cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut on tool life of P10 are discussed. A prediction model for speed within the region of 224 m/min to 355 m/min, feed rate of 0.1 mm/tooth to 0.25 mm/tooth, and depth of cut of 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm are presented. The adequacy of the predicted model after performing multiple regression analysis give 95% confidence interval with coefficient of multiple determination (R 2 ) of 0.845. Whereas from average percentage deviation (φ ) calculated, it shows that the accuracy of the predicted model is only 23%. This shows that the accuracy of the predicted model could not depend solely on the analysis performed using SPSS alone. Other methods to check the model accuracy such as average percentage deviation (φ ) are also important.