Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An l∞ Eigenvector Perturbation Bound and Its Application to Robust Covariance Estimation

In statistics and machine learning, we are interested in the eigenvectors (or singular vectors) of certain matrices (e.g. covariance matrices, data matrices, etc). However, those matrices are usually perturbed by noises or statistical errors, either from random sampling or structural patterns. The Davis-Kahan sin θ theorem is often used to bound the difference between the eigenvectors of a matrix A and those of a perturbed matrix A˜=A+E, in terms of l2 norm. In this paper, we prove that when A is a low-rank and incoherent matrix, the l∞ norm perturbation bound of singular vectors (or eigenvectors in the symmetric case) is smaller by a factor of d1 or d2 for left and right vectors, where d1 and d2 are the matrix dimensions. The power of this new perturbation result is shown in robust covariance estimation, particularly when random variables have heavy tails. There, we propose new robust covariance estimators and establish their asymptotic properties using the newly developed perturbation bound. Our theoretical results are verified through extensive numerical experiments.
Relationship Between the Level of Dietary Vitamin E and the Immune Response of Broiler Chickens 1

The relationship between the dietary level of vitamin E (VE) and the immune response of broilers was studied in three experiments. Immunity was assessed as antibody production to infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), SRBC, and Brucella abortus (BA) antigens, mitogenic response to phytohemagglutinin A (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A), cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) to PHA, and lipopolysaccharide induction of acute-phase proteins (APP) and heterophilia. A range of VE (0, 10, 17.5, 25, 37.5, 50, 100, and 200 IU/kg) levels were supplemented to a basal diet (corn-soy) containing 10.2 IU of VE/kg. We found a dose-dependent increase in antibody production in response to attenuated IBV (
Sustainability Reporting Practices: A Study of Selected Banking Companies of Bangladesh

This study examines the current reporting practices of sustainability issues of Bangladeshi Banks. This paper examines the annual report of 2016 of selected Private Commercial Banks (PCBs) in consideration of GRI G4 guidelines. This study has found that 100% of the sample bank has participated in sustainability reporting. Most reported sectors are labor, product responsibility, energy, emission. Most of the banks have used a separate section in annual report for sustainability reporting. Mostly narrative disclosures have been used by most of the banks. Even though banks have reported about different issues mentioned in G4, most of the disclosure lacks specificity and clear initiatives. Keywords: Sustainability, Reporting, GRI, Disclosure, Private Commercial Banks.
Invariant-mass spectroscopy of 
O14
 excited states

Excited states in $^{14}$O have been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Experimentally, these states were produced via neutron-knockout reactions with a fast $^{15}$O beam and the invariant-mass technique was employed to isolate the 1$p$ and 2$p$ decay channels and determine their branching ratios. The spectrum of excited states was also calculated with the Shell Model Embedded in the Continuum that treats bound and scattering states in a unified model. By comparing energies, widths and decay branching patterns, spin and parity assignments for all experimentally observed levels below 8 MeV are made. This includes the location of the second 2$^{+}$ state that we find is in near degeneracy with the third 0$^{+}$ state. An interesting case of sequential 2$p$ decay through a pair of degenerate $^{13}$N excited states with opposite parities was found where the interference between the two sequential decay pathways produces an unusual relative-angle distribution between the emitted protons.
Probing the effects of strong electromagnetic fields with charge-dependent directed flow in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC

The first measurement at the LHC of charge-dependent directed flow ($v_{1}$) relative to the spectator plane is presented for Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV. Results are reported for charged hadrons and $\rm D^{0}$ mesons for the transverse momentum intervals $p_{\rm T}>0.2$ GeV/$c$ and $3<p_{\rm T}<$ 6 GeV/$c$ in the 5-40% and 10-40% centrality classes, respectively. The difference between the positively and negatively charged hadron $v_{1}$ is found to have a positive slope as a function of pseudorapidity $\eta$, ${\rm d}\Delta{v_1}/{\rm d}\eta=$[1.68 $\pm$ 0.49 (stat.) $\pm$ 0.41 (syst.)] $\times 10^{-4}$, with a $2.6\sigma$ significance. The same measurement for $\rm D^{0}$ and $\rm\bar{D}{}^0$ mesons yields a positive value ${\rm d}\Delta{v_1}/{\rm d}\eta$= [4.9 $\pm$ 1.7 (stat.) $\pm$ 0.6 (syst.)]$\times 10^{-1}$, which is about three orders of magnitude larger than the one of the charged hadrons, and is larger than zero with significance of $2.7\sigma$. These measurements can provide new insights into the effects of the strong electromagnetic field and the initial tilt of matter created in non-central heavy-ion collisions on the dynamics of light (u, d, and s) and heavy (c) quarks. The large difference between the observed $\Delta{v_1}$ of charged hadrons and $\rm D^{0}$ mesons may reflect different sensitivity of the charm and light quarks to the early time dynamics of a heavy-ion collision. These observations challenge some of the recent theoretical calculations incorporating effects of the strong electromagnetic field, which predicted a negative and an order of magnitude smaller value of ${\rm d}\Delta{v_1}/{\rm d}\eta$ for both light-flavour and charmed hadrons.
Deregulation, Market Structure, and the Demise of Old-School Banking

We construct novel network-based measures of U.S. state-level bank deregulation intensity that allow us to separately identify the effects of deregulation on competition and investment opportunities for the first time in the literature. In contrast to existing studies, we find that increased competition leads to higher deposit funding costs and a reduction in banks' net interest margins and profitability. In response, banks increase their risk-taking, shift their business models, and become more likely to be acquired by other banks. Our findings help to resolve conflicting evidence in the general deregulation literature and support bank deregulation theories in which reductions in bank charter values lead to increased bank risk-taking.
Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Nonhuman Primates by qPCR

Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: November 26, 2015 June 06, 2016 June 11, 2016 July 04, 2016 Simple and highly sensitive methods to monitor infection or exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in nonhuman primates (NHPs) are unavailable except for the tedious tuberculin skin test (TST). The study focused on establishing quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) as the method for direct and non-invasive detection of M. tuberculosis in peripheral blood of NHPs in vitro. We investigated the rates of M. tuberculosis in three different NHP colonies. All the TST-positive samples were confirmed as infected except for three samples with CT values above 40, which were deemed negative. Four TST-negative samples were shown to be positive using CT. In the three different colonies, the detection rates of M. tuberculosis in the peripheral blood were 10, 19.5 and 24%, respectively. The results suggested that qPCR was an auxiliary method with speed, accuracy and simplicity, which facilitate the screening and breeding of specific pathogen-free (SPF) or higher grade simians, and for disease surveillance programs.
Evaluation of Serum Omentin Concentration and Its Association with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Inconsistent findings have been reported regarding the concentration of serum omentin in patients undergoing hemodialysis and healthy individuals. Omentin is correlated with several cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis and inflammation. This study aimed to compare serum omentin concentration between hemodialysis patients and healthy subjects and determine its correlation with cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 85 subjects divided into two groups of hemodialysis (n=55) and control (n=30). Serum omentin concentration and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were measured using ELISA and immunoturbidimetric method, respectively. Required data including age, cardiovascular risk factors, duration of dialysis, body mass index and history of cardiovascular diseases were collected via interviews and blood sampling and compared between groups. FINDINGS: In this study, mean age of subjects in hemodialysis and control groups was 50.81±13.39 and 49.70±9.32 years, respectively (age range: 19-80 years). Serum omentin concentration was significantly higher in patients undergoing hemodialysis compared to control subjects (2.15±1.46 vs. 0.78±0.07 μg/ml, respectively) (p=0.0001). In addition, systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, creatinine and CRP were significantly higher in hemodialysis patients compared to control subjects, while levels of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and hemoglobin were significantly lower. Also, a significant positive correlation was observed between serum omentin and creatinine in all studied subjects (p=0.001, r=0.397). However, this correlation was not significant in patients undergoing hemodialysis. A positive correlation was found between serum omentin and blood glucose in the study population (p=0.001, r=0.590), and this correlation was less significant in hemodialysis patients (p=0.045 r=244). Moreover, a significant negative correlation was observed between serum levels of omentin and triglyceride in hemodialysis patients (p=0.012, r=-244). No correlations were found between serum omentin and factors such as CRP, albumin, obesity and history of cardiovascular diseases or diabetes. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, omentin concentration has a significant increase in patients undergoing hemodialysis compared to healthy subjects. In addition, serum omentin in these patients is positively correlated with a number of cardiovascular risk factors.
MONTE CARLO INVESTIGATION OF LIGHT-IONS FRAGMENTATION IN WATER TARGETS

Utilizarea fasciculelor de ioni grei pentru terapia cancerului necesita cunostinte precise despre procesele complexe care se produc la interactia ionilor cu substanta, asa cum este producerea de particule secundare. In timpul iradierii neutronii secundari, protonii si ionii grei contribuie la doza prompta si doza intarziata de radiatie in tesutul tumoral si in cel sanatos. In acest sens, producerea de fragmente usoare prezinta un interes special. Aceste particule sunt transportate in tesutul biologic, largind campul de iradiere si crescand riscul efectelor secundare. In lucrarea de fata s-au studiat intensitatile izotopilor produsi prin interactia fasciculelor de C, N si O avand energia de 400MeV/u cu apa. Simularile numerice au aratat ca fragmentele cu intensitatile cele mai mari sunt particulele cu sarcina electrica mica generate in zona de intrare a tintei care se propaga ulterior dincolo de picul Bragg.
Effects of intermediate range structure on the 29Si NMR chemical shifts of framework silicates: Results for analcime

Abstract Seven natural analcime samples with atomic Si/Al ratios from 1.97 to 2.63 were investigated to explore the effects of intermediate range structure and Al for Si substitution up to the fourth nearest neighbor coordination shell on the 29Si NMR chemical shifts in the framework aluminosilicates. With increasing bulk Si/Al ratio, the 29Si chemical shifts of all Si(nAl) resonances become more negative (more shielded), consistent with previously reported trends for faujasite and LTA zeolite (Newsam 1985). For our analcimes, the total observed changes in chemical shift for the Si(3Al), Si(2Al), and Si(1Al) sites are ~0.5, 0.6, and 1.1 ppm, respectively, demonstrating that the effect of Si/Al ratio is more significant for the Si sites with a smaller number of next-nearest neighbor Al atoms. The mean value of the change in chemical shift per added Al on fourth nearest neighbor sites is ~2.8 ppm [2.3 ppm if Si(3Al) is excluded]. This value is similar to the results of recent QM/MM calculations and is somewhat larger than those previously reported for faujasite and LTA framework zeolite (~1.4 and 1.3 ppm). This difference correlates with the overall denser structure of analcime, including smaller cages and shorter Si-fourth neighbor distances. Combining these results with the known changes in 29Si chemical shifts for framework silicates due to changes in the first coordination shell, tetrahedral polymerization and second neighbor Al for Si substitution for tetrahedrally coordinated Si, we present an empirical relation between the changes in 29Si chemical shift and interatomic distance between Si and nearby atoms.
Measurement of electrons from heavy-flavour hadron decays as a function of multiplicity in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV

The multiplicity dependence of electron production from heavy-flavour hadron decays as a function of transverse momentum was measured in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC. The measurement was performed in the centre-of-mass rapidity interval $-1.07<y_{\rm cms}<0.14$ and transverse momentum interval 2 $<p_{\rm T}<$ 16 GeV/$c$. The multiplicity dependence of the production of electrons from heavy-flavour hadron decays was studied by comparing the $p_{\rm T}$ spectra measured for different multiplicity classes with those measured in pp collisions ($Q_{\rm pPb}$) and in peripheral p-Pb collisions ($Q_{\rm CP}$). The $Q_{\rm pPb}$ results obtained are consistent with unity within uncertainties in the measured $p_{\rm T}$ interval and event classes. This indicates that heavy-flavour decay electron production is consistent with binary scaling and independent of the geometry of the collision system. Additionally, the results suggest that cold nuclear matter effects are negligible within uncertainties, in the production of heavy-flavour decay electrons at midrapidity in p-Pb collisions.
Validating Extended MHD Models of Plasma Response Against Measurements of Islands in DIII-D

Measurements of islands induced by resonant magnetic perturbations (RMP) in the core of an L-mode DIII-D plasma are used to test predicted rotational screening trends from linearized extended MHD and to validate modeling of the nonlinearly saturated island state. In these plasmas, fine torque scans reveal that large RMP-induced islands are present at multiple mode-rational surfaces at low rotation, but are completely screened at higher rotation. Island formation correlates with near-zero perpendicular electron flow, Ωe,⊥, at the q=2 surface. Linearized resistive two-fluid simulations do not find clear agreement between calculated resonant fields and observations of islands dependent on Ωe,⊥ in contrast to previous expectations. Instead, these L-mode plasmas are predicted to have strong screening even at these values of low rotation. However, single-fluid simulations show better agreement with strong resonant field penetration at low rotation suggesting ion rotation plays a more dominant role in the formation of macroscopic islands. Nonlinear resistive MHD modeling using two separate methods is compared against experiment to examine the saturated island state. Using a time-asymptotic approach, a series of unique meta-stable equilibria are modeled with an increasing helical 2/1 seed perturbation until the modeled island width matches experiment, resulting in a small stochastic layer around the 2/1 island. However, timedependent simulations show a limit to the saturated island width with increasing applied RMP, indicating the final width is governed by nonlinear tearing stability, as also observed experimentally. Thus, basic plasma response experiments challenge current modeling capability used in understanding 3D fields.
Gluing in geometric analysis via maps of Banach manifolds with corners and applications to gauge theory.

We describe a new approach to the problem of constructing gluing parameterizations for open neighborhoods of boundary points of moduli spaces of anti-self-dual connections over closed four-dimensional manifolds. Our approach employs general results from differential topology for $C^1$ maps of smooth Banach manifolds with corners, providing a method that should apply to other problems in geometric analysis involving the gluing construction of solutions to nonlinear partial differential equations.
The 2009 stratospheric major warming described from synergistic use of BASCOE water vapour analyses and MLS observations

Abstract. The record-breaking major stratospheric warming of northern winter 2009 (January–February) is studied using BASCOE (Belgian Assimilation System for Chemical ObsErvation) stratospheric water vapour analyses and MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder) water vapour observations, together with meteorological data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and potential vorticity (PV) derived from ECMWF meteorological data. We focus on the interaction between the cyclonic wintertime stratospheric polar vortex and subsidiary anticyclonic stratospheric circulations during the build-up, peak and aftermath of the major warming. We show dynamical consistency between the water vapour analysed fields and the meteorological and PV fields. Using various approaches, we use the analysed water vapour fields to estimate descent in the polar vortex during this period of between ~0.5 km day −1 and ~0.7 km day −1 . New results include the analysis of water vapour during the major warming and demonstration of the benefit of assimilating MLS satellite data into the BASCOE model.
A Cross-Sectional Study of Hyponatremia Associated with Acute Central Nervous System Infections

Hyponatremia can occur with central nervous system (CNS) infections, but the frequency and severity may depend on the organism and nature of CNS involvement. In this cross-sectional study at a large Australian hospital network from 2015 to 2018, we aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of hyponatremia associated with CNS infection clinical syndromes, and the association with specific organisms. We examined the results of cerebrospinal fluid analysis from lumbar punctures performed in 184 adult patients with a serum sodium below 135 mmol/L who had abnormal cerebrospinal fluid analysis and a clinical syndrome consistent with an acute CNS infection (meningitis or encephalitis). Hyponatremia affected 39% of patients and was more severe and frequent in patients with encephalitis compared to meningitis (odds ratio = 3.03, 95% CI: 1.43–6.39, after adjusting for age). Hyponatremia was present on admission in 85% of cases. Herpes simplex virus infection was associated with the highest odds of hyponatremia (odds ratio = 3.25, 95% CI: 1.13–7.87) while enterovirus infection was associated with the lowest (odds ratio = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.14–0.92), compared to cases without an isolated organism. We concluded that the risk of hyponatremia may vary by the organism isolated but the clinical syndrome was a useful surrogate for predicting the probability of developing hyponatremia.
Optimising the detection of marine taxonomic richness using environmental DNA metabarcoding: the effects of filter material, pore size and extraction method

The analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) using metabarcoding has increased in use as a method for tracking biodiversity of ecosystems. Little is known about eDNA in marine human-modified environments, such as commercial ports, which are key sites to monitor for anthropogenic impacts on coastal ecosystems. To optimise an eDNA metabarcoding protocol in these environments, seawater samples were collected in a commercial port and methodologies for concentrating and purifying eDNA were tested for their effect on eukaryotic DNA yield and subsequent richness of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). Different filter materials [Cellulose Nitrate (CN) and Glass Fibre (GF)], with different pore sizes (0.5 µm, 0.7 µm and 1.2 µm) and three previously published liquid phase extraction methods were tested. The number of eukaryotic OTUs detected differed by a factor of three amongst the method combinations. The combination of CN filters with phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol extractions recovered a higher amount of eukaryotic DNA and OTUs compared to GF filters and the chloroform-isoamyl alcohol extraction method. Pore size was not independent of filter material but did affect the yield of eukaryotic DNA. For the OTUs assigned to a highly successful non-indigenous species, Styelaclava, the two extraction methods with phenol significantly outperformed the extraction method without phenol; other experimental treatments did not contribute significantly to detection. These results highlight that careful consideration of methods is warranted because choice of filter material and extraction method create false negative detections of marine eukaryotic OTUs and underestimate taxonomic richness from environmental samples.
Socio-Economic Impact of Artisanal Mining of Blue Sapphire on the Mambilla Plateau

Blue sapphire gemstone has been mined on the Mambilla plateau and traded in different parts of the world including Thailand and Sri Lanka over the years. However, the new Mambilla blue sapphire discovered recently has generated a lot of excitement in the global community because of its high quality. This discovery has led to a general rush by the people in the area mostly youths into artisanal mining of the blue gemstone. This study examines the process of artisanal mining of blue sapphire and the socio-economic impact of the mining on the environment. Data were generated through interviews with key stakeholders. Ethnographic observation of the mining site was conducted during the fieldwork. Information was also collected from relevant secondary sources including reports, books and journal articles. The Information obtained from the individual interviews and focus group discussions was content-analyzed and subjected to descriptive analysis. The finding of the study shows that the artisanal mining of the blue sapphire has created employment opportunity to the teaming jobless youths in the area. This has attracted many people from within and outside the country to the area. Although the mining of the sapphire has created wealth to the people, the negative impacts of the mining is also a major concern as large tract of forest cover and scarce agricultural land in the area are loss in the process of sapphire hunt. This study therefore recommend for the need to put in place framework that integrates the artisanal miners fully into the productive sector of the national economy and advocacy campaign to enlighten artisanal miners on the direct link between their operations and environmental degradation and the need for adoption of sustainable method of mining. Keywords: Artisanal, Blue sapphire, Impact, Mambilla and Socio-economic
Evaluation of the Effect of Aggregates Mineralogy and Geometry on Asphalt Mixture Friction

Road pavement friction is a main physical phenomenon of interaction between tires and the road surface; it provides skid resistance during accelerations and decelerations. The paper focuses on the effects, at laboratory scale, of geometry (in terms of fine aggregates - minimum/maximum size of 0.063/2 mm - content), mineralogy (basalt or metamorphic - minimum/maximum size of 8/16 mm) and shape (in terms on Flakiness and Shape index) on friction performance of asphalt wearing courses for road pavements, in terms of British Pendulum Number and Mean Texture Depth. Laboratory results were statistically treated and used to define predictive formulas which correlate friction characteristics and the explanatory variables considered by the study. The amount of fine particles in the mix and the shape of coarse aggregates demonstrated to affect friction properties and macro texture.