Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two-mode squeezed states in cavity optomechanics via engineering of a single reservoir

We study theoretically a three-mode optomechanical system where two mechanical oscillators are independently coupled to a single cavity mode. By optimized two-tone or four-tone driving of the cavity one can prepare the mechanical oscillators in an entangled two-mode squeezed state, even if they start in a thermal state. The highly-pure, symmetric steady-state achieved allows the optimal fidelity of standard continuous-variable teleportation protocols to be achieved. In contrast to other reservoir engineering approaches to generating mechanical entanglement, only a single reservoir is required to prepare the highly-pure entangled steady-state, greatly simplifying experimental implementation. The entanglement may be verified via a bound on the Duan inequality obtained from the cavity output spectrum. A similar technique may be used for the preparation of a highly-pure two-mode squeezed state of two cavity modes, coupled to a common mechanical oscillator.
Modeling the impact of thinning on height development of dominant and codominant loblolly pine trees

Data collected from loblolly pine thinning study plots established in plantations on cutover, site-prepared lands were used to evaluate thinning impact on height growth of dominant and codominant loblolly pine trees. Height growth was reduced initially by thinning but was increased after 3 years following thinning. The average total height of dominant and codominant trees in thinned stands exceeded its counterpart in unthinned stands 12 years after thinning. Initial growth response to thinning was less at older stand ages than at younger ages. A model was constructed to characterize the development of height in thinned and unthinned stands. This model reflects the initial suppression of dominant and codominant height growth followed by an acceleration as a result of thinning.
Examining tradeable permits with market power, banking and non-compliance: a finite period model

Our model examines how co-existence of market power and noncompliance affects the efficiency and effectiveness of a cap-and-trade system with banking-borrowing in a finite period model. The dynamic equilibrium analysis here extends the results of the established literature, and we show that the initial allocation of permits to the dominant firm continues to play a significant role in both the cost-efficiency of abatement, as well as effectiveness of the cap-and-trade system. The presence of cheating, however, makes the permit demand of firms more price-elastic compared to a model with no cheating. Moreover, the second-order price sensitivity of the permit demand of the dominant firm plays a critical role in the compliance behavior of the dominant firm. We analyze the relationship between violation of a fringe firm and the dominant firm, illustrating the asymmetrical implications for when the dominant firm is a buyer of permits versus a seller of permits. Since we expect the regulator to reduce initial permit allocations over time, we also examine its impact on non-compliance behavior of the dominant firm.
Mechanical Isolation of Human Endothelial Cells from Large Vessels for Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping

Endothelial cells (EC) have important physiological functions, and they may also have a role in pathology. To better understand their role in health and disease, we must know very well their phenotype. Previous studies have identified and characterized EC mainly by immunohistochemistry, but there are also some studies using flow cytometry (FCM) after exposing these cells to enzymatic digestion, either to isolate and/ or to detach them from the vessel wall. However, it is well known that enzymatic treatment can cause deleterious effects on cell surface receptors, then influencing the antibody-antigen reaction. We describe a simple and cheap mechanical method to isolate EC from human vessels, avoiding alterations in the expression of cell surface receptors caused by the use of enzymes, and we tested it using FCM. With this method we were able to obtain fresh EC that were identified by FCM as a well-defined cluster of CD45-CD146+brightCD31+bright cells. This approach can be used in the future to isolate EC for further immunophenotypic characterization and for ex-vivo functional studies, as well as to test the effect of different stimuli, including pharmacological drugs.
Culture and Customs of France

The French are of perennial interest, for, among other things, their style, their cuisine and wine, and their cultural output. Culture and Customs of France is a thoroughly jam-packed narrative through the glories that France continues to offer the world. The volume is a boon for preparing country reports, a must-read for travelers, and perfect for culture studies. Chapters on the land, people, and history, religion, social customs, gender, family, and marriage, cinema and media, literature, food and fashion, architecture and art, and performing arts are current and pleasurable to read.
New methods to quantify NH3 volatilization from fertilized surface soil with urea

Gaseous N losses from soil are considerable, resulting mostly from ammonia volatilization linked to agricultural activities such as pasture fertilization. The use of simple and accessible measurement methods of such losses is fundamental in the evaluation of the N cycle in agricultural systems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate quantification methods of NH3 volatilization from fertilized surface soil with urea, with minimal influence on the volatilization processes. The greenhouse experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with 13 treatments and five replications, with the following treatments: (1) Polyurethane foam (density 20 kg m-3) with phosphoric acid solution absorber (foam absorber), installed 1, 5, 10 and 20 cm above the soil surface; (2) Paper filter with sulfuric acid solution absorber (paper absorber, 1, 5, 10 and 20 cm above the soil surface); (3) Sulfuric acid solution absorber (1, 5 and 10 cm above the soil surface); (4) Semi-open static collector; (5) 15N balance (control). The foam absorber placed 1 cm above the soil surface estimated the real daily rate of loss and accumulated loss of NH3N and proved efficient in capturing NH3 volatized from urea-treated soil. The estimates based on acid absorbers 1, 5 and 10 cm above the soil surface and paper absorbers 1 and 5 cm above the soil surface were only realistic for accumulated N-NH3 losses. Foam absorbers can be indicated to quantify accumulated and daily rates of NH3 volatilization losses similarly to an open static chamber, making calibration equations or correction factors unnecessary.
Development and Plasticity in the Primary Auditory Cortex

The early acoustic environment plays a crucial role in how the brain represents sounds and how language phonemes are perceived. Human infants are born with the capacity to distinguish phonemes from virtually all languages, but very quickly change their perceptual ability to match that of their primary language. This has been described as the Perceptual Magnet Effect in humans, where phoneme tokens are perceived to be more similar than they physically are, leading to decreased discrimination ability.Early development is marked by distinct critical periods, when cortical regions are highly plastic and particularly sensitive to sensory input. These lasting alterations in cortical sensory representation may directly impact the perception of the external world. My thesis is comprised of three different studies, all of which investigate the role of the developmental acoustic environment on cortical representation and the behavioral consequence of altered cortical representation.Passive exposure to pure-tone pips during the auditory critical period can lead to over-representation of the exposure tone frequency in the primary auditory cortex (A1) of rats. This over-representation is associated with decreased discrimination ability of that frequency, similar to the Perceptual Magnet Effect in humans. Another hallmark of human language is categorical perception. Using a computational model of A1, I show that certain representation patterns (which may be achieved with passive exposure to two distinct pure-tone pips) in A1 can lead to categorical perception in rats. This suggests that cortical representation may be a mechanism that drives categorical perception.Rodents are socially vocal animals whose con-specific calls are often presented in bouts in the ultrasonic frequency range. These calls are vocalized at ethologically relevant repetition rates. I show that pure-tone pips that are presented at the ethological repetition rate (but not slower or faster rates) during the auditory critical period lead to over-representation of the pure-tone frequency. A certain subclass of ultrasonic vocalizations, the pup isolation calls, occurs during the auditory critical period. I show that there is over representation of ultrasonic vocalization frequencies in the rat A1. This preferential representation is experience-dependent and is associated with higher discrimination ability.
Ecology of Mylesinus paucisquamatus Jégu & Santos, 1988, an endangered fish species from the rio Tocantins basin

Mylesinus paucisquamatus is a threatened fish endemic to the rio Tocantins basin, with little information about its natural history. Using monitoring data obtained between 1998 and 2009, we investigated the spatial distribution, feeding and reproduction of this species in a long stretch of the middle-upper rio Tocantins. Eighty-one individuals were captured over a decade of intensive sampling. In addition, we recorded the species in only 13 out of 35 sites, particularly in the Tocantins and Parana rivers. Most individuals were captured alone, while the remaining formed small groups. These results indicate that this fish is rheophilic and rare. We recorded seasonal variation in fish abundance, with higher values during the dry season, indicating seasonal movements. The species is herbivorous and specialized in the consumption of plants attached to substrates, particularly bryophytes. We also observed seasonality in reproduction, since reproductive activity increased during the early dry season. These ecological traits, e.g. , rarity, rheophilic and specialized feeding habits, indicates that M. paucisquamatus is vulnerable to environmental changes, particularly river damming. Considering that three large dams currently regulate and fragment this section of the rio Tocantins, the persistence of this species is jeopardized, demanding effective conservation actions.
Prevalence of smear positive tuberculosis among outpatient attendees, the case of the Tamale Teaching Hospital

There is paucity of data on the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among out-patient attendees from individual Institutions and Health Care Facilities performing sputum smear microscopy in Ghana. This retrospective study analyzed sputum smear microscopy results among pulmonary TB suspected patients presenting to the Tamale Teaching Hospital in the Northern Region of Ghana. Sputum smear microscopy for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) results of new suspected pulmonary TB (Diagnosis) patients and their demographic data comprising age and sex recorded from January 2004 to December 2010 were retrieved from the TB Laboratory Register (TB04) of the Bacteriology unit and analyzed. Out of a total of 5,720 registered cases, 4,762 (83.3%) were new patients with suspected pulmonary TB (diagnostic cases). This comprised of 2,766 (58.1%) males and 1,996 (41.9%) females giving a female to male ratio of 1:1.4. Assessment of recorded data for newly suspected pulmonary TB patients rose from a minimum of 165 (9.9%) in 2004 to a maximum of 948 (19.9%) in 2009. Out of a total of the 4,762 recorded new cases, 620 were sputum smear positive yielding positivity rate of 13.0%. The positivity rate on a year-on-year basis was 15.7% (2004), 15.8% (2005), 13.4% (2006), 12.7% (2007), 20.6% (2008), 10.0% (2009) and 6.3% (2010). The median age for recorded smear positive cases was 42 years. Generally the percentage proportion of smear positives in the recorded cases stratified by age showed a steady rise from 0.3% in the <5 year olds and peaked at 16.3% in the 30-35 years age group. A gradual decline in smear positive cases was observed within the 36 – 41 years age group from 10.0% to 4.8% in the 54 – 59 years age group from where a gradual rise was observed up to the >72 years age group. There has been a remarkable improvement in diagnostic requests for suspected TB patients. The decline in positivity rates might have been impacted upon greatly by the national strategy to stop TB which emphasized on active case finding and prompt reporting at the community level, improving diagnostic processes and strengthening the health systems. The rapid urbanization and changes in the social fibre of inhabitants cannot be underestimated in the overall TB control efforts. Journal of Medical and Biomedical Sciences (2012) 1(4), 34-41
Silvicultural Systems for Restoration of Mahogany in Degraded Landscapes in Africa: Influence of Mixed Rainforest Plantation on Growth and Pest Damage

African mahogany, one of the world’s most valuable timber species is threatened by over-exploitation in natural forests and failure of plantations due to attacks by the shoot borer Hypsipyla robusta. Mixed-species plantations has been reported to be an effective component of integrated pest management of major pest in other crops; but there is very limited empirical data on its use for managing Hypsipyla in mahogany mixed stands in West Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of mixed-species stands as management intervention, on the growth of Khaya grandifoliola and Khaya ivorensis in relation to Hypsipyla robusta attack in a 10 ha experimental plantation in the wet evergreen forest type in Ghana. Khaya grandifoliola recorded faster growth than Khaya ivorensis in this forest type though the later naturally grow in this forest type while the former is introduced from the dry forest. Two years after planting, diameter and height growth were greater in the mixed-species stand than the pure stands for K. grandifoliola and K. ivorensis. Hypsipyla damage was less in the mixed stands of both K. grandifoliola and K. ivorensis compared to the pure stands, with the 20% and 10% Khaya mixed stand recording the lowest attack in both species. It can be recommended that mixed stands of the two Khaya species at 20% or lower Khaya density might be ideal for reducing the levels of Hypsipyla attack in this type of forest.
Metformin enhances left ventricular function in patients with metabolic syndrome

l sindrome metabolico (SM) predice varias complicaciones cardiovasculares, como la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC). La disfuncion ventricular izquierda (DVI) acompana al sindrome metabolico. Aunque la metformina mejora la funcion del ventriculo izquierdo en pacientes diabeticos con insuficiencia cardiaca, no hay evidencia de su efecto sobre la disfuncion ventricular izquierda en pacientes con sindrome metabolico. Se estudio el efecto de la metformina sobre la disfuncion ventricular izquierda en pacientes con sindrome metabolico utilizando imagenes Doppler de tejido miocardico y rastreo de manchas bidimensional. Objetivos: Evaluar los efectos de la metformina sobre la disfuncion ventricular izquierda inducida por el SM. Material y metodos: Los pacientes con SM fueron asignados al azar en dos grupos (n = 20 cada uno) que recibieron, un antagonista de la angiotensina 2 y receptores; estatinas, fibratos o ambos. Un grupo recibio 850 mg de metformina diaria. La masa del VI, el espesor relativo de la pared (ERP), fraccion de eyeccion, E/A y relacion E/E', la velocidad Doppler tisular sistolica (Sm), el promedio de pico de tension sistolica (SS), y la velocidad de deformacion diastolica precoz pico (VDDPP) se obtuvieron por mediciones ecocardiograficas al inicio del estudio y a los seis meses. Resultados: Todos los pacientes presentaban hipertrofia concentrica o remodelado. La metformina reduce la masa del VI y el ERP. Habia alteraciones del ventriculo izquierdo sistolica y diastolica, alteraciones en ambos grupos que la metformina mejoro significativamente. VDDPP aumento casi al doble con metformina. La mejoria de la funcion diastolica no se relaciono con regresion de la hipertrofia. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con SM experimentaron alteraciones sutiles de las funciones sistolica y diastolica, lo que mejoro significativamente con una pequena dosis de metformina en un periodo de tra
Physicochemical properties and stress-strain compression behaviors of a ground tire rubber based magnetorheological elastomers

a. Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia International Campus, Jalan Semarak 54100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. b. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jalan Ir. Sutami 36A, Kentingan, Surakarta, 57126, Central Java, Indonesia. c. University of Surabaya, Surabaya, 60223, East Java, Indonesia. d. Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jalan Ir. Sutami 36A, Kentingan, Surakarta, 57126, Central Java, Indonesia.
Endogenous Economic Disasters and Asset Prices

Frictions in the labor market are important for understanding the equity premium in the financial market. We embed the Diamond-Mortensen-Pissarides search framework into a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with recursive preferences. The model produces realistic equity premium and stock market volatility, as well as a low and stable interest rate. The equity premium is countercyclical, and forecastable with labor market tightness, a pattern we confirm in the data. Intriguingly, three key ingredients (small profits, large job flows, and matching frictions) in the model combine to give rise endogenously to rare disasters a la Rietz (1988) and Barro (2006).
Four Musical Minimalists: La Monte Young, Terry Riley, Steve Reich, Philip Glass

The American composers la Monte Young, Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass are widely regarded as pioneers of the aesthetic and the techniques of minimalism in musical composition during the 1960s and early 1970s. This book offers the most detailed account so far of their early works, putting extensive discussion of the music into a biographical perspective. The true musical minimalism of these years is placed in the wider context of their music as a whole, and considered within the cultural conditions of the period which saw not only the rise of minimalism in the fine arts but also crucial changes in the theory and practice of musical composition in the Western cultivated tradition.
Control and Prevention of Streptococcosis in Cultured Tilapia in Malaysia: A Review

Streptococcosis in cultured fishes has been reported to cause severe economic losses to the aquaculture industry worldwide. Lancefield group B Streptococcus agalactiae has been recognised as the main pathogen in cultured tilapia. This review discusses the current scenario and risk factors of streptococcosis in tilapia and suggests the control and prevention measures for this disease. The preventive measures focus on combined aspects of selecting farm location, applying good aquaculture farm practices, utilization of antibiotics and proper vaccination programme. A combination of all these measures will perhaps be the key to improve the health of cultured tilapia and prevent the infection by S. agalactiae, which in turn will increase the economic profit of tilapia farm operators.
Chirp-based multicarrier modulation

In this paper we demonstrate that in doubly-dispersive environments, a multicarrier (MC) system based on a fractional Fourier transform (FrFT) can achieve a better concentration of power near the main diagonal of the equivalent channel matrix compared to standard orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). The resulting inter-symbol and inter-carrier interference in such a chirp- based MC system can therefore be suppressed with a reduced complexity equaliser. Simulations show that compared to an equalised OFDM system, the equalised FrFT-MC approach can either significantly reduce complexity or enhance performance in a time-varying environment.
Characterizations of Fibers Produced from Polypropylene/ Silica Composite

Fumed silica particles filled polypropylene (PP) filament fibers were prepared by melt spin pilot plant. First, virgin PP and silicas(hydrophilic and hydrophobic) were premixed using twin screw extruder to prepare silica containing PP composite resin. Then, the resin composite was again mixed with virgin PP and spun into filaments with various filler loadings in the range of 0.5 - 2.5 wt%. The characterizations of spun composite fibers including crystallization temperature (DSC analysis), polymer orientation (sonic modulus) and the fine structure (XRD) were studied. XRD results showed β-form crystallinity peak in x-ray pattern of fiber drawn with low take-up speed (300 m/min), indicating that infused nano silica was capable of acting as β-form nucleating agent. The crystallization temperatures (Tc) of composite fibers were found to be higher than that of neat fiber, further confirming the nucleating effect of silica filler. However, the presence of silica dispersion resulted in the interference of polymer molecule orientation along a fiber axis as judged by sonic modulus measurement. As a result of hydrophobic silica loading, composite PP fibers exhibited the extent of thermal stability due to the fact that, in addition to a fraction of the heat absorbed by silica particles, extra heat was required to overcome interfacial adhesion force.
The Research Progress and Prospect of Employee Turnover Intention

Employee turnover management is an important aspect of human resource management, how to effectively control and predict employee turnover becomes an important content of academic research. Related research results show that the turnover intention is employee turnover behavior of the most direct antecedents, can predict employee turnover behavior. The author reviews the employee turnover intention, the connotation of the antecedent variables and measurement, the future trend of development and research on employee turnover tendency is analyzed.
Integrated water vapor from IGS ground-based GPS observations: initial results from a global 5-min data set

Abstract. Ground based GPS zenith path delay (ZPD) measurements are well established as a powerful tool for integrated water vapor (IWV) observation. The International GNSS Service (IGS) provides ZPD data of currently more than 300 globally distributed GPS stations. To derive IWV from these data, meteorological information (ground pressure and mean temperature above the station) are needed. Only a limited number of IGS stations is equipped with meteorological ground sensors up to now. Thus, meteorological data for IWV conversion are usually derived from nearby ground meteorological observations (ground pressure) and meteorological analyses (mean temperature). In this paper we demonstrate for the first time the applicability of ground pressure data from ECMWF meteorological analysis fields in this context. Beside simplified data handling (no single station data and quality control) this approach allows for IWV derivation if nearby meteorological stations are not available. Using ECMWF ground pressure and mean temperature data the new IGS 5-min ZPD data set has been converted to IWV for the first time. We present initial results from selected stations with ground meteorological sensors including pressure and temperature comparisons between ECMWF and local measurements. The GPS IWV is generally validated by comparison with ECMWF IWV. The ECMWF derived station meteorological data are compared with local measurements at all accordingly equipped stations. Based on this comparison, the mean error (in terms of standard deviation) introduced by time interpolation of the 6-hourly ECMWF data is estimated below 0.2 mm IWV.