Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural Analysis of Kinetic Systems with Application to Cell-free Expression Systems

Dynamical models play an important role in many fields of science and engineering. The aim of applying these models is to solve real-life problems, using that they are able to reproduce the important observed phenomena as accurately as required. Nonnegative systems form a special class of dynamical systems where all the state variables remain in the positive orthant, if the states start there. Kinetic dynamical models originate from chemistry as descriptors of chemical processes, but their range of applicability reaches far beyond (bio)chemical models as they are suitable to describe all important dynamical phenomena. It is possible to associate a directed graph structure to a kinetic system which enables us to investigate not only the graph theoretic properties, but the dynamical properties of the kinetic system as well. The theory to investigate these properties has existed for decades but a set of optimization based approaches—exploiting that the graph structure corresponding to a given kinetic dynamics is non-unique—have been developed relatively recently. Building upon these, this thesis presents two new algorithms utilizing mathematical optimization. It has been known that the sparse directed graph structure is not necessarily unique which is in contrast with the unique dense structure. This non-uniqueness may hamper the successful identification of a kinetic system because a unique sparse structure is often implicitly assumed. The first algorithm shows an efficient way to calculate all sparse directed graph structures of a kinetic system. The second algorithm is developed in the newly introduced class of uncertain kinetic systems. This procedure computes the core reactions of the uncertain kinetic system and it has polynomial time complexity. The uncertainty is represented in the form of parameter intervals which makes it suitable to accommodate uncertainties ranging from temperature change to different operating regimes. The applicability of the algorithms is illustrated by a series of examples. First, the well-known Lorenz system is transformed into kinetic form to calculate all the sparse structures. Second, a network reconstruction benchmark is used to show the computation of the core reaction set of an uncertain kinetic system. Third, it is shown that the sparse structure of a kinetic system with predetermined uncertainty may be non-unique, too. The last part of this thesis is focusing on the modeling process of an in vitro system. The work starts with a list of molecular laboratory protocols to prepare the different molecular probes. Then, a series of experiments is designed to collect data about the in vitro system. A first principle model is developed to capture the transient behavior of the gene expression and it is shown that the model is structurally identifiable using the applied measurement setup. Finally, the quality of the time series data enables us to estimate and validate the parameters of the developed kinetic model. DOI:10.15774/PPKE.ITK. 2015.008
Measuring European Stock Market Integration Via a Stochastic Discount Factor Approach

We test for European stock market integration by comparing the expectations of stochastic discount factors (SDF) across markets. As opposed to other market integration methods, the SDF approach allows for lesser and milder assumptions. We allow stocks to have general risk characteristics, which we only constrain through (i) the CAPM, (ii) the Fama and French, and the (iii) Carhart model of covariances. Our ndings suggest that equity markets are not integrated on a pan-European level. We nd, however, that the stock markets of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are interrelated. We also document that the better part of European equity markets is linked to Germany’s stock market. Our results also provide empirical support for an interdependence of the stock markets of the BeNeLux states.
Level-Dependent Nonlinear Hearing Protector Model in the Auditory Hazard Assessment Algorithm for Humans

Abstract : US Army Research Laboratory technical report ARL-TR-6748, Using the Auditory Hazard Assessment Algorithm for Humans (AHAAH) With Hearing Protection Software, Release MIL-STD-1474E, includes AHAAH with a Hearing Protector Module (HPM) modeling all hearing protector devices (HPDs) as level-independent linear devices. Listed HPDs include several level-dependent nonlinear (LDNL) earplugs. These are modeled linearly, based on Real Ear Attenuation at Threshold (REAT) measurements in closed and open modes. When analyzing auditory hazards with LDNL HPDs applied as linear devices based on REAT measurements, results are generally overly protective, since REAT measurements do not reflect increased attenuations for higher waveform pressures. Several MIL-STD-1474E Working Group members felt LDNL HPD performance must be accurately described and incorporated into AHAAH cited in the MIL-STD. Consequently, a nonlinear pressure-amplitude-dependent model for performance of LDNL HPDs was created and added to the HPM of version 2.1 of AHAAH (Release MIL-STD-1474E). We describe LDNL modifications to AHAAH s HPM and validate the LDNL HPD model by comparing predicted and measured insertion losses (ILs) and waveforms under the HPD, for increasingly intense waveforms. A LDNL HPM will more accurately predict ILs and waveforms under HPDs and support more accurate auditory hazard assessments for complex impulsive waveforms encountered in real situations.
The Etiology of Febrile Illnesses among Febrile Patients Attending Felegeselam Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia

The causes of acute febrile illness remain undifferentiated in many parts of the world and their burden is still challenging particularly in resource poor countries. The problem is significance especially in malaria endemic areas of tropical and sub-tropical regions. A cross sectional study was conducted during December 2011 in Northwest Ethiopia to determine the etiological agents of febrile illnesses among 398 acute febrile patients. Vein blood was collected to determine the etiological agents of febrile illnesses. The analysis of generated data revealed that the prevalence of malaria, typhoid, typhus and relapsing fever were 51.5%, 10.3%, 5% and 0%, respectively. Malaria prevalence found to be the highest among other febrile illnesses followed by typhoid and typhus. Of the malaria infections Plasmodium falciparum prevalence accounts the highest 49.75% followed by Plasmodium vivax 1.75% (n= 398). Awareness of the community about the sign and symptom of febrile illnesses were less. In addition, Proper bed net utilization was lower in rural than urban. Therefore, it is important to perform parasitological examination and serological tests simultaneously to encourage proper diagnosis and treatment of acute febrile cases especially in malaria endemic areas.
Observation of bipolar moving magnetic features streaming out from a naked spot

Context. Mechanisms responsible for active-region formation, evolution, and decay have been investigated by many authors and several common features have been identified. In particular, a key element in the dispersal of the magnetic field seems to be the presence of magnetic elements, called moving magnetic features (MMFs). Aims. We analyze the short-lived sunspot group NOAA 10977, which appeared on the solar disk between 2 and 8 December 2007, to study the details of its emergence and decay phases. Methods. We performed a multi wavelength analysis of the region using images at visible (G band and Hα) and near-IR (Ca ii) wavelengths acquired by both the IBIS instrument and SOT/HINODE, EUV images (17.1 nm) acquired by TRACE, and MDI and SOT magnetograms. Results. The observed region exhibits some peculiarities. During the emergence phase the formation of the f-pore was initially observed, while the p-polarity later formed a naked spot, i.e., a sunspot without a penumbra. We measured a moat flow around this spot, and observed some MMFs streaming out from it during the decay phase. The characteristics of these MMFs allowed us to classify them as type I (U-shaped) MMFs. They were also cospatial with sites of increased brightness both in the photosphere and the chromosphere. Conclusions. The presence of bipolar MMFs in a naked spot indicates that current interpretation of bipolar MMFs, as extensions of the penumbral filaments beyond the sunspot outer boundaries, should be revised, to take into account this observational evidence. We believe that our results provide new insights into improving models of sunspot evolution.
The Influence of the Type and Concentration of Alcohol on the Rheologicaland Mucoadhesive Properties of Carpobol 940 Hydroalcoholic Gels

The objective of this work was to study the influence of type and concentration of the alcohol (ethyl and isopropyl alcohol) on the rheological and mucoadhesive properties of carbopol 940 gel formulations. The rheological and mucoadhesive properties of the systems were investigated by means of rheological analysis. The mucoadhesive properties were demonstrated by viscosity enhancement (η enhance), bioadhesion force (Fb) and relative viscosity (η rel). The viscosity, flow index and consistency index were found to be significantly influenced by type and concentration of alcohol added. Flow index was directly related to alcohol concentration while the consistency index was inversely related to alcohol concentration. The force of bioadhesion was found to be promoted by increasing concentration of ethyl alcohol up to 50% and isopropyl alcohol up to 30%. It was concluded that 30% is the optimum concentration of the alcohol in hydroalcolic systems is 30% and this concentration provide higher viscosity of Cp 940 gel with ethyl alcohol while with isopropyl alcohol provide strong mucoadhesive properties.
An inverse relationship between aggregate northern hemisphere tropical cyclone activity and subsequent winter climate

Our understanding of the climate role of tropical cyclones (TCs) remains incomplete despite increasing efforts to quantify it. TCs cool the sea surface over a large area, transport heat vertically and meridionally, and dry the tropical atmosphere. Following an anomalous TC season, when TCs have done an anomalous share of energy transport, there may be alterations of other climate mechanisms. Accordingly, a robust inverse relationship between northern hemisphere (NH) TC activity and NH winter climate is explored here. Specifically, aggregate power dissipation index for NH Pacific recurving TCs is the current optimal predictor (r = −0.57; p < 0.01) of NH winter stationary meridional temperature flux. TC‐winter climate causality would not only argue for an elevated climate role of TCs, but would present an autumn predictability barrier given the limited skill in forecasting seasonal TC activity details. A proxy relationship would suggest undiagnosed coupled climate mechanisms that have control over both the tropics and extratropics.
A statistical appraisal of molecular and morphological evidence for mammoth-elephant relationships

SUMMARY: We present a DNA sequence analysis of the relationship between Mammuthus, Loxodonta and Elephas, and apply statistical techniques to compare the support for different trees. A Loxodonta-Mammuthus clade has the strongest support, but Elephas-Mammuthus cannot be ruled out. In morphological characters, several features which have been cited in support of an Elephas-Mammuthus relationship are convergent or primitive. The relationship among these three genera is still unresolved.
The use of the flashiness index as a possible indicator for nutrient loss prediction in agricultural catchments

A characterisation of the hydrological behaviour of four small agricultural catchments in Estonia and Norway was carried out using a flashiness index (FI). FI reflects the frequency and rapidity of short term changes in runoff values. A comparison of FIs based on hourly and average daily discharge indicated large within-day variations over very short time intervals. Large differences were observed between the Norwegian and Estonian catchments, irrespective of whether average daily discharge or hourly discharge values were used. A comparison of the FI and the base flow index (BFI) showed that high FI values corresponded to low BFI values. Norwegian catchments with high FI or low BFI values showed high nutrient losses, whereas the contrary was observed for the Estonian catchments. Although the FI does not a priori give information about the flow processes within catchments, we believe that the FI, as well as the BFI, might be helpful in explaining differences in nutrient and soil losses between catchments.
The North Pacific Oxygen Uptake Rates over the Past Half Century

The transport of dissolved oxygen (O2) from the surface ocean into the interior is a critical process sustaining aerobic life in mesopelagic ecosystems, but its rates and sensitivity to climate variations are poorly understood. Using a circulation model constrained to historical variability by assimilation of observations, we show that the North Pacific thermocline effectively takes up O2 primarily by expanding the area through which O2-rich mixed layer water is detrained into the thermocline. The outcrop area during the critical winter season varies in concert with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). When the central North Pacific Ocean is in a cold phase, the winter outcrop window for the Central Mode Water class (CMW; a neutral density range of γ = 25.6 - 26.6) expands southward allowing more O2-rich surface water to enter the ocean’s interior. An increase in volume flux of water to the CMW density class is partly compensated by a reduced supply to the shallower densities of Subtropical Mode Water (γ = 24.0 - 25.5). The thermocline has become better oxygenated since the 1980s due partly to strong O2 uptake. Positive O2 anomalies appear first near the outcrop and subsequently downstream in the subtropical gyre. In contrast to the O2 variations within the ventilated thermocline, observed O2 in Intermediate Water (density range of γ = 26.7 – 27.2) shows a declining trend over the past half-century, a trend not explained by the open ocean water mass formation rate.
Does Affirmative Action affect intention to leave? The effect of perception of discrimination due to Affirmative Action policies on the intention to leave in a beneficiary group

Affirmative action policies are believed to have both positive and negative impacts on business. This paper takes a novel perspective to understand the negative impact of this policy on the organizational commitment and therefore the intention to leave (IL) on the part of native employees when they perceive unfair discrimination against expatriate employees. Based on analysis conducted by Structure Equation Modelling of answers from a sample of 440 employees in Saudi Arabia, the perception of affirmative action in an organization is found to affect the perception of discrimination (national, gender and religious) in it. The perception among nationals of discrimination is found to fully mediate the relationship between the perception of an organization’s affirmative action policy and organizational commitment (OC). Indeed, this OC fully mediates the perception of national discrimination and the intention to leave. Furthermore, the perception of negative discrimination based on gender and religion partially mediates the relationship between the perception of the affirmative action policy and the intention to leave among the beneficiary group.
P3.5 - Impact of Dopants on the Characteristics of Thin-Film Humidity Sensor Elements

The paper presents the results from the study of thin-film humidity sensor elements on the basis of TiO2 obtained by a sol-gel method and doped with various compounds. The impact of the dopants on the sensor characteristics has been investigated. Titanium n-butoxide is used as a starting material for the preparation of the experimental samples. Bismuth acetate, vanadium pentadionate and sodium butoxide have been used as doping agents. The film is applied through the dip-coating method of the ceramic substrates in the obtained film-forming solution with subsequent drying in air environment. The dependence of resistance on humidity, sensitivity and response time of the sensor were investigated. Impedance characteristics and equivalent electric circuits were obtained.
Frequencies of HLA-E*01:01/*01:03 Alleles in an Iranian Healthy Population and Its Comparison with Hyperglycemia Patients

Background And Aims The human leukocyte antigen-E (HLA-E) is a member of non-classical HLA class-I genes which is highly conserved through evolution. In general, so far 25 alleles of HLA-E have been described. However, the existence of only two allelic group; HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03 have been demonstrated in all the populations. HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03 differ only at codon 107 of exon 3. The aim of this study was to survey on the frequency of HLA-E alleles; HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03 in healthy and high blood sugar subjects.Materials And Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from the whole blood of 137 randomly selected healthy individuals and 86 patients with high blood sugar by using salting-out method. HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03 alleles were determined by polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primers. To overcome the ambiguity of some results, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method saw used. Finally, the nucleotide sequence of a limited number of polymerase chain reaction products was determined.Results In healthy subjects, the allelic frequency of HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03 were 48.9% and 51.1%, respectively. In high blood sugar subjects, the allelic frequency of HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03 were 50.6% and 49.4%, respectively. The dominant allele in the healthy subjects was HLA-E*01:03 and in high blood sugar group was HLA-E*01:01 without significant differences for HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03 frequencies in high blood sugar group.Conclusions Our results about the frequencies of HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03 alleles in Iranian population showed similarities with French and Korean populations.
Larson's third law and the universality of molecular cloud structure

Larson (1981) first noted a scaling relation between masses and sizes in molecular clouds that implies that these objects have approximately constant column densities. This original claim, based upon millimeter observations of carbon monoxide lines, has been challenged by many theorists, arguing that the apparent constant column density observed is merely the result of the limited dynamic range of observations, and that in reality clouds have column density variations over two orders of magnitudes. In this letter we investigate a set of nearby molecular clouds with near-infrared excess methods, which guarantee very large dynamic ranges and robust column density measurements, to test the validity of Larson’s third law. We verify that different clouds have almost identical average column densities above a given extinction threshold; this holds regardless of the extinction threshold, but the actual average surface mass density is a function of the specific threshold used. We show that a second version of Larson’s third law, involving the mass-radius relation for single clouds and cores, does not hold in our sample, indicating that individual clouds are not objects that can be described by constant column density. Our results instead indicate that molecular clouds are characterized by a universal structure. Finally we point out that this universal structure can be linked to the log-normal nature of cloud column density distributions.
In Vitro Screening of Different Potato Genotypes for Salinity Tolerance

In vitro screening of several potato genotypes (29 cultivars and lines) to salinity stress was conducted. Single node explants were evaluated on the basis of their growth, microtuberization and biochemical analysis under different concentrations of salt (NaCl) stress. In most cases, increasing NaCl in the tissue culture medium resulted in reduction in plantlet growth, rooting and microtuberization potential in varying degrees, depending on the cultivar. Some genotypes such as Oceania, 97f-267 and Picasso produced higher number of microtuber under 150 mM NaCl than control. Generally, 97f-267, Oceania and Universa genotypes were ranked among salt tolerant, while Nicola, Safran, Diamant were ranked as moderate and Elodi, Triomph, Marabel, Bolista and 99-981 were ranked as salt sensitive based on morphological characters. Photosynthetic pigments decreased under salt stress, however, Universa and Safran maintained higher chlorophyll content under salt conditions (100 mM NaCl) comparing with control (0.0 mM NaCl) plantlets. Also, Universa and Safran accumulated more proline and free amino acids under stress treatment comparing with control, than other tested genotypes. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were different among potato genotypes. In this respect, Universa and Safran had higher catalase (CAT) activity under salt stress (100 mM NaCl) than control treatment (0.0 mM NaCl), however, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was not good indicator for salinity tolerance in the tested potato genotypes.
THE ELUSIVE SUBSTANCE OF POPULISM : STRUCTURE OF POPULIST IDEOLOGY IN THE NETHERLANDS

This paper provides a detailed study of Dutch public opinion data in order to establish to what extent there are elements of an organized ideological structure that could be termed „populist‟. The first part of the paper examines the relationships among several of the typical attributes of populism, such as ethnocentrism, economic redistribution, and antielitism are analysed. The goal is to examine to what extent these attributes tend to converge towards a higher-order populist ideology. The second part of the paper examines the added explanatory value when populist attributes are entered as predictors of party preferences, in addition to variables operationalizing the traditional politics. Attitudinal profiles of supporters of populist parties from the opposite sides of the ideological spectrum are compared. Finally, attitudinal roots of populist parties‟ preferences are compared against those of the mainstream, established parties. The outlined problems are examined using data from the Dutch Parliamentary Election Studies (DPES). The results provided no evidence for the existence of a more general, substantively grounded populist ideology, only for the thin populist core, containing various indicators of political alienation and anti-elite orientation. With regard to the ideological content, the findings suggest that, in Dutch public opinion, populism equals right-wing populism. Furthermore, no support is found for the claim that anti-elite „core‟ is a common ideological ground that unites supporters of leftand right-wing populist parties. Finally, the „thin ideological core‟ of populism proved inconsequential for understanding party preferences in the Netherlands, whether populist-labelled or otherwise.