Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multidimensional Rational Covariance Extension with Approximate Covariance Matching

In our companion paper "Multidimensional rational covariance extension with applications to spectral estimation and image compression" we discussed the multidimensional rational covariance extension problem (RCEP), which has important applications in image processing, and spectral estimation in radar, sonar, and medical imaging. This is an inverse problem where a power spectrum with a rational absolutely continuous part is reconstructed from a finite set of moments. However, in most applications these moments are determined from observed data and are therefore only approximate, and RCEP may not have a solution. In this paper we extend the results to handle approximate covariance matching. We consider two problems, one with a soft constraint and the other one with a hard constraint, and show that they are connected via a homeomorphism. We also demonstrate that the problems are well-posed and illustrate the theory by examples in spectral estimation and texture generation.
Effective Stock Selection and Portfolio Construction Within US, International, and Emerging Markets

In this paper, we explore the ex-post attributes of 120 simulated portfolios across the U.S., International, and Emerging Markets. We estimate expected returns using a given global stock selection model employing Global Equity Rating (GLER) and Consensus Temporary Earnings Forecasting (CTEF) signals. Our portfolios are constructed under the Markowitz optimization framework and constrained at various tracking error levels. Further, an alpha alignment factor is applied to aid in portfolio construction. As a result of our research, we present the reader with three key findings. First, GLER and CTEF signals employed as the primary inputs to security selection result in portfolios with superior risk adjusted returns relative to the Russell 3000, MSCI AC World ex. US, and MSCI Emerging Markets benchmarks which they are measured against. Second, expanding the investment universe outside the U.S. increases the opportunity set yielding higher risk adjusted performance. Third, the incorporation of an alpha alignment factor within the portfolio construction process improves risk forecasts resulting in ex-post tracking error aligning more closely to ex-ante, and ultimately improving information ratios.
Phenotypic classification of Saudi Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius) by their body measurements

In order to identify homogeneous groups of camels according to their conformation, 212 camels (155 females and 57 males) from 9 regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and belonging to 12 different camel breed or types were measured. The body measurements included the length of the head, of the neck, of the udder and of the teat, the height at the withers, and the circumference of the neck, of the thigh and at girth. The 12 breeds were compared according to their mean body measurements and the groups with similar conformation were identified by Automatic Hierarchical Classification on Ward distance. Finally, 4 types of female camel conformation were identified: small size breed from mountains and Red Sea coast, big size camel from desert areas, and 2 breeds, Zargeh with small size but with wide chest and neck, and Asail (racing camel) with very thin neck and leg and poorly developed udder. Six groups of males are identified also but with a different distribution. This classification is close to the typology based on the ecosystem distribution of camel breeds in Saudi Arabia.
The association between lipid profile and bone mineral density in subjects with ankylosing spondylitis

Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between serum lipids and bone mineral density in ankylosing spondylitis patients. Methods: A total of 94 ankylosing spondylitis patients fulfilling the 1984 Modified New York Criteria who had serum lipid levels and bone mineral density scores in medical records were included in this study. These patients treated with nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs. Their files were examined in detail. Later demographic and laboratory features were recorded to the research form. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess bone mineral density in two bone sites of femur (neck, intertrochanteric zone and trochanter) and spinal lumbar vertebras (Lumbar 1-Lumbar 4). Results: Significant and positive correlation was found between high density lipoprotein and femoral neck bone mineral density (r = 0.356, p = 0.021) in osteopenic group and in osteoporotic group (r = 0.005, p = 0.040). Conclusion: According to our study significant and positive correlations are found between high density lipoprotein and femoral neck bone mineral density in osteopenic and osteoporotic group. However, we believe that more studies are needed about this research.
Evaluation of a national neurosurgical formative examination: the UK experience

Abstract Introduction: Formative assessment is a key component in medical education and that it is a helpful process for all involved. Until recently there was no national formative examination for neurosurgical trainees. The Neurosurgery Annual in Training Examination (NAiTE) is an annual online, formative assessment that was introduced in 2014. In this paper, we seek to discuss how well NAiTE relates to established educational practice and principles and its fitness for purpose by discussing its rationale, structure and utility. Methods: A national online examination was introduced in 2014. The NAiTE consists of 100 single best answer multiple choice questions. The examination and questions with were reviewed and the global results presented. The existing literature and educational theory are used to guide subjective assessment of the process. Results: In 2016, 191 candidates participated in the NAiTE, of whom 154 were trainees working in UK neurosurgical units. The mean score for early stage UK trainees (years 1-3) was 52.4%, intermediate (years 4-5) 58.5% and senior (years 6-8) 65.4%. The NAiTE was found to be a reliable (Cronbach-Alpha of 0.89) and valid assessment of trainees with scores approximating those attained in the Intercollegiate Specialty Examination itself. Discussion: Potential areas for improvement are highlighted, including reference to some that have already been implemented. Conclusion: Overall, the examination is a cheap, viable and reliable means of testing trainees and encouraging their onward development and learning as they work towards the Intercollegiate Specialty Examination
Xylogenesis in black spruce subjected to rain exclusion in the field 1

The predicted climate warming and more frequent and longer droughts are expected to produce potentially severe water stresses in the boreal forest. The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of a summer drought on xylem phe- nology and anatomy of mature black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) trees in their natural environment. The trees were excluded from rain during June-September 2010 by the installation of under-canopy roofs in four sites of the boreal forest of Quebec. Xylem phenology, stem radius variations, and physiological traits of treated and control trees were monitored at short time resolution. At the end of the growth season, cell characteristics were measured. The rain exclusion reduced the cell area of the xylem, but no significant change was observed in cell wall thickness, cell production, or phenology. Stem ra- dius variations of the treated trees were lower but followed the same pattern as the control. After removal of the exclusion, trees and soil quickly recovered their normal water status. One summer of drought led to the formation of smaller tracheids but showed that black spruce is resistant to this rain exclusion treatment. This is likely due to the ability to collect water from sources other than the superficial soil horizon.
Effect of Chemical Structure on Pyrolysis Behavior of Alcell Mild Acidolysis Lignin

In this study, two purified mild acidolysis lignins (MAL) extracted from triploid poplar, i.e., Alcell MAL and Alkali MAL, were compared. Some properties, including elemental contents, higher heating value (HHV), functional hydroxyl group compositions, and molecular weights, were tested to characterize the structure of these two MALs. The releasing laws of gases and the distribution of products were also investigated through the use of thermogravimetric Fourier transform infrared (TG-FTIR) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The results showed that both MALs had pyrolytic advantages, largely because of their unique chemical structures. However, although the species of volatiles from Alkali MAL were similar to those from Alcell MAL, the releasing temperature range for Alcell MAL was relatively narrow and the volatiles from it were concentrated. Among the fast pyrolytic products, phenols were the most abundant. The yield of 2,6-dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenol, which was the dominant product, was 25.66% for Alcell MAL and 20.77% for Alkali MAL, respectively. Overall, pyrolytic products from Alcell MAL were more enriched.
Effect of salt stress on growth attributes and endogenous growth hormones of soybean cultivar Hwangkeumkong.

The adverse effects of NaCl induced salt stress on growth attributes and endogenous levels of gibberellins (GA), abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) soybean cv. Hwangkeumkong was showed. Plant length, biomass, chlorophyll content, number of pods, 100 seed weight and yield significantly decreased in response 70 mM and 140 mM concentrations of NaCl. Under salt stress, the endogenous GA and free SA content decreased, while a significant increase in the endogenous ABA and JA contents were observed. The results showed that salinity stress drastically reduce growth and yield components of soybean by affecting endogenous growth hormones.
Actinocleidus fergusoni (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae), a gill parasite of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), new to Japan

Specimens of Actinocleidus fergusoni Mizelle, 1938 were collected from the gills of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) from Budo Reservoir, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. This collection represents the first record of A. fergusoni from Japan. The species is redescribed based on both the specimens from Japan and paratype material from the U.S.A. The parasite is considered to have been introduced from the central U.S.A. into Japan with live bluegill in 1960.
Authenticity at Work: Its Relations With Worker Motivation and Well-being

Drawing on Self-Determination Theory (Deci, Olafsen & Ryan, 2017), this study examines the associations between authenticity at work, motivation and well-being, assuming that motivation would at least partly mediate the association between authenticty and well-being. Since authentic behavior refers to the degree to which a person acts in agreement with their true self (i.e., one's own core values), high levels of authenticity at work should relate positively to more intrinsic types of motivation regulation and negatively to more extrinsic types of motivation regulation. Moreover, high levels of authenticity should be associated with higher well-being at work (i.e., higher work engagement and lower burnout). Structural equation modeling using cross-sectional data from 546 participants revealed that self-determined motivation (i.e. autonomous motivation) showed positive associations with authenticity at work and that non-self-determined motivation (i.e. controlled motivation and amotivation) showed negative associations with authenticity at work. The positive associations increased in strength with increasing self-determined motivation. A similar – but reversed – pattern was found for the negative associations. Parallel mediation analysis revealed that self-determined motivation partially mediated the relationship between authenticity and well-being at work.
Efficient online algorithms for fast-rate regret bounds under sparsity

We consider the online convex optimization problem. In the setting of arbitrary sequences and finite set of parameters, we establish a new fast-rate quantile regret bound. Then we investigate the optimization into the L1-ball by discretizing the parameter space. Our algorithm is projection free and we propose an efficient solution by restarting the algorithm on adaptive discretization grids. In the adversarial setting, we develop an algorithm that achieves several rates of convergence with different dependencies on the sparsity of the objective. In the i.i. d. setting, we establish new risk bounds that are adaptive to the sparsity of the problem and to the regularity of the risk (ranging from a rate 1 / $\sqrt T$ for general convex risk to 1 /T for strongly convex risk). These results generalize previous works on sparse online learning. They are obtained under a weak assumption on the risk ({\L}ojasiewicz's assumption) that allows multiple optima which is crucial when dealing with degenerate situations.
Data-Driven Bandwidth Selection for Nonstationary Semiparametric Models

This article extends the asymptotic results of the traditional least squares cross-validatory (CV) bandwidth selection method to semiparametric regression models with nonstationary data. Two main findings are that (a) the CV-selected bandwidth is stochastic even asymptotically and (b) the selected bandwidth based on the local constant method converges to 0 at a different speed than that based on the local linear method. Both findings are in sharp contrast to existing results when working with weakly dependent or independent data. Monte Carlo simulations confirm our theoretical results and show that the automatic data-driven method works well.
Dynamics of hemiwicking

Hemiwicking refers to the spreading of a liquid on a rough hydrophilic surface driven by capillarity. Here, we construct scaling laws to predict the velocity of hemiwicking on a rough substrate and experimentally corroborate them with various arrangements and dimensions of micropillar arrays. At the macroscopic scale, where the wetting front appears parallel to the free surface of the reservoir, the wicking distance is shown to grow diffusively, i.e. like $t^{1/2}$ with $t$ being time. We show that our model is consistent with pillar arrays of a wide range of pitch-to-height ratios, either square or skewed. At the microscopic scale, where the meniscus extension from individual pillars at the wetting front is considered, the extension distance begins to grow like $t$ but the spreading slows down to behave like $t^{1/3}$ when the meniscus is far from the pillar. Our microscopic flow modelling allows us to find pillar spacing conditions under which the assumption of densely spaced pillars is valid.
Chapter 25 Decision support for QEMG

L.J. Pino, D.W. Stashuk*, S.G. Boe and T.J. Doherty Department of Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON N6A 5A5, Canada Heart and Stroke Foundation Centre for Stroke Recovery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
Identification of off airport interspecific avian hazards to aircraft

Understanding relative hazards of wildlife to aircraft is important for developing effective management programs that can minimize hazards from wildlife strikes. Although interspecific differences in hazard level of birds and mammals on airport properties are described, no studies have quantified hazard level of bird species or identified factors that influence hazard level when birds are struck beyond airport boundaries (e.g., during aircraft climb or approach). We used Federal Aviation Administration National Wildlife Strike Database records from 1990 through 31 May 2014 to identify bird species involved most often in collisions with aircraft beyond airport boundaries in the United States and to quantify the interspecific hazard level of those birds. We also investigated whether body mass, group size (single or multiple birds), region (Flyway), and season influenced the likelihood of aircraft damage and substantial damage when strikes occurred using binary logistic regression analysis. Canada geese (Branta canadensis; n = 327), turkey vultures (Cathartes aura; 217), American robins (Turdus migratorius; 119), and mallards (Anas platyrhynchos; 107) were struck most often by aircraft beyond airport boundaries. Waterbirds (cormorants, ducks, geese, and to a lesser extent, gulls) and raptors (including vultures) were most likely to cause damage or substantial damage to aircraft when strikes occurred. Body mass was an important predictor of hazard level; group size, region, and season had lesser effects on hazard level. Management strategies to reduce bird strikes with aircraft beyond airport properties should be active throughout the year and prioritize waterbirds and raptors. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
At Least Nine Ways to Play: Approaching Gamer Mentalities

Do digital games and play mean the same things for different people? This article presents the results of a 3-year study in which we sought for new ways to approach digital games cultures and playing practices. First, the authors present the research process in brief and emphasize the importance of merging different kinds of methods and materials in the study of games cultures. Second, the authors introduce a gaming mentality heuristics that is not dedicated to a certain domain or genre of games, addressing light casual and light social gaming motivations as well as more dedicated ones in a joint framework. The analysis reveals that, in contrast to common belief, the majority of digital gaming takes place between ‘‘casual relaxing’’ and ‘‘committed entertaining,’’ where the multiplicity of experiences, feelings, and understandings that people have about their playing and digital games is wide ranging. Digital gaming is thus found to be a multifaceted social and cultural phenomenon that can be understood, practiced, and used in various ways.
Tracking a hysteretic and disorder-broadened phase transition via the electromagnon response in improper ferroelectrics

We demonstrate that electromagnons can be used to directly probe the nature of a phase transition between magnetically ordered phases in an improper ferroelectric. The antiferromagnetic/paraelectric to antiferromagnetic/ferroelectric phase transition in Cu1−xZnxO (x = 0,0.05) alloys was tracked via the electromagnon response using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, on heating and cooling through the phase transition. The transition was found to exhibit thermal hysteresis, confirming its first-order nature, and to broaden under the influence of spin-disorder upon Zn substitution. The energy of the electromagnon increases upon alloying, as a result of the non-magnetic ions modifying the magnetic interactions that give rise to the multiferroic phase and electromagnons. We describe our findings in the context of recent theoretical work that examined improper ferroelectricity and electromagnons in CuO from phenomenological and first-principles approaches.
Feeling of Depression and loneliness among Elderly people Attending Geriatric Clubs at Assiut City

People over the age of sixty-five are a national problem that requires more attention and research because the suicide rate is more prominent in this age group than in any other . The study aimed to assess feeling of depression and loneliness in elderly persons and identify the relation between the old age and feeling of depression and loneliness. Interviews were conducted individually with elderly people Convenience sample of the study were 50 elderly persons aged 60years and above from Geriatric club in Legitimate Assembly and Geriatric Club at Assiut cultural center. Tools were used in this study UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3), It will be used to assess the feeling of loneliness among elderly people, and Beck Depression Inventory Scale . The results revealed that there were statistically significant difference between depression and age. There were statistically significant highly correlation between depression and loneliness. Conclusion, depression and loneliness significantly increase with age. [Nadia Ebraheem Sayied; Hussnia Shehata Mohamed and Reda Abd El Aal Thabet. Feeling of Depression and loneliness among Elderly people Attending Geriatric Clubs at Assiut City. Life Science Journal 2012; 9(2):140145]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 24
Dissociation of cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-β and tau levels in patients with prolonged posttraumatic disorders of consciousness

ABSTRACT Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although the mechanisms that lead to AD after a TBI are unclear, we hypothesize that changes in amyloid-β (Aβ) metabolism and abnormal tau phosphorylation are reasonable candidates. Objective: To investigate Aβ and tau dynamics in the chronic phase of TBI. Methods: We evaluated Aβ1-42, total tau (t-tau), and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 15 patients who developed a prolonged disorder of consciousness after a severe TBI (mean time from TBI 271.6 ± 176.5 days). Results: Reduced Aβ1-42 levels (median 258 pg/ml, range 90–833.6) were observed in 14/15 patients (93.3%) with severe post-TBI disorders of consciousness. These CSF analysis data did not correlate with time since TBI or with the patients’ level of consciousness as determined by the Coma Recovery Scale Revised. Normal t-tau levels (median 95.2 pg/ml, range 52–256.9) were found in all patients. Normal p-tau levels (median 22.2 pg/ml, range 14–72) were observed in 14/15 patients, with just a single patient having a slightly increased p-tau level. Conclusion: The present findings show that Aβ and tau are differently affected in the chronic phase of severe TBI.
Repeatability of kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data in normal adult gait

The repeatability of gait variables is an important consideration in the clinical use of results of quantitative gait analysis. Statistical measures were used to evaluate repeatability of kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data waveforms and spatiotemporal parameters of 40 normal subjects. Subjects were evaluated three times on each test day and on three different test days while walking at their preferred or natural speed. Intrasubject repeatability was excellent for kinematic data in the sagittal plane both within a test day as well as between test days. For joint angle motion in the frontal and transverse planes, the repeatability was good within a test day and poor between test days. Poor between‐day repeatability of joint angle motion in the frontal and transverse planes was noted to be partly due to variabilities in the alignment of markers. Vertical reaction and fore–aft shear forces were more repeatable than the mediolateral shear force. Sagittal plane joint moments were more repeatable than frontal or transverse plane moments. For electromyographic data, repeatability within a day was slightly better than between test days. In general, the results demonstrate that with the subjects walking at their natural or preferred spped, the gait variables are quite repeatable. These observations suggest that it may be reasonable to base significant clinical decisions on the results of a single gait evaluation.