Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analyse et Simulations Numériques du Retournement Temporel et de la Diffraction Multiple

Cette these porte sur l'analyse mathematique et la simulation numerique de problemes lies a la diffraction multiple. Elle est constituee de deux parties. La premiere partie est consacree a l'etude de quelques problemes inverses de detection et de localisation d'obstacles ou de sources a l'aide d'un miroir a retournement temporel (MRT). Ces appareils sont capables de retro-propager des ondes dans leur milieu d'origine afin de les focaliser sur la source qui les a initialement emises. Dans un premier temps, nous nous interessons a la methode DORT, qui est une technique experimentale permettant de focaliser selectivement des ondes sur des petits obstacles a priori inconnus. Dans le cadre de l'acoustique, nous proposons une etude numerique des resultats mathematiques obtenus par C. Hazard et K. Ramdani. Ensuite, nous etendons mathematiquement ces resultats au cas de l'electromagnetisme. Pour cloturer cette premiere partie, nous presentons une etude numerique d'une experience de reconstruction d'une source acoustique ponctuelle a l'aide d'un MRT. On s'interesse ici plus particulierement au phenomene de super-resolution, c'est-a-dire l'amelioration, en moyenne, de la qualite de la focalisation en milieu heterogene plutot qu'en milieu homogene. En se placant dans un contexte deterministe, nous resolvons numeriquement l'equation de Helmholtz et donnons des exemples de simulations numeriques illustrant ce phenomene. La deuxieme partie a pour objet la resolution numerique par equations integrales du probleme de diffraction multiple en acoustique. La notion de diffraction multiple signifie ici que le milieu comporte plusieurs obstacles par opposition a la diffraction simple ou seul un diffuseur est present. Lorsque les obstacles sont des disques, nous calculons explicitement les coefficients des quatre operateurs integraux usuels dans les bases de Fourier. Ceci nous permet de proposer une methode de resolution numerique robuste et efficace lorsque les obstacles sont des disques. Cette strategie de resolution utilise une methode de stockage compressee de la matrice du systeme lineaire ainsi qu'un preconditionneur qui prend en compte les effets de la diffraction simple. En outre, ce preconditionnement presente la propriete interessante de rendre toutes les equations integrales identiques, a un changement de base pres. Nous demontrons ce resultat tout d'abord pour des obstacles circulaires avant de l'etendre a des geometries regulieres quelconques. D'autre part, l'obtention des coefficients de l'operateur integral de simple couche nous permet d'etudier numeriquement le spectre de cet operateur en regime basse frequence. Apres une etude de la diffraction simple, nous nous sommes interesses a deux regimes particuliers de diffraction multiple : un milieu dilue ou les obstacles sont eloignes et un milieu dense ou les obstacles sont tres proches les uns des autres.
Perinatal and neonatal determinants of childhood type 1 diabetes. A case-control study in Yorkshire, U.K.

OBJECTIVE To identify environmental factors that exert their effect in the perinatal and neonatal period and influence the subsequent onset of insulin dependent (type 1) diabetes during childhood. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A population-based case-control study of data abstracted from the hospital obstetric and neonatal records of 196 children with type 1 diabetes and 325 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Analysis of matched sets by conditional logistic regression was conducted for a range of perinatal and neonatal factors. RESULTS A significantly raised risk was observed for illnesses in the neonatal period (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.06-2.44), the majority of which were infections and respiratory difficulties. Exclusive breast feeding as the initial feeding method was significantly protective (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.45-0.94). There were no significant associations with high- or low-birth weight, being firstborn or small-for-dates. All factors significant (5% level) for the entire dataset, that is, maternal age, type 1 diabetes in mothers, preeclampsia, delivery by cesarean section, neonatal illnesses, and initial breast feeding were modeled and the OR remained significant for all variables other than cesarean section. CONCLUSIONS The findings are based on medical record data that cannot be subject to biased recall of mothers. Neonatal illnesses increased and initial breast feeding decreased the risk of childhood type 1 diabetes. Further determinants of risk are mothers with type 1 diabetes, older mothers, and preeclampsia during pregnancy.
Evaluation of methods for assessment of pain associated with chronic osteoarthritis in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To identify variables and evaluate methods for assessing chronic pain in dogs. DESIGN Prospective study. ANIMALS 41 dogs with canine hip dysplasia (CHD), and 24 apparently healthy dogs with no history of pain. PROCEDURE 2 veterinarians evaluated the dogs' locomotion and signs of pain. Owners of dogs with CHD and control dogs answered a questionnaire regarding their dogs' demeanor, behavior, and locomotion (descriptive scales) and assessed pain and locomotion (visual analog scales). Plasma concentrations of several stress-related hormones were determined, and 13 radiologic variables were assessed in affected hip joints. RESULTS For many of the questions, answers provided by owners of dogs with CHD differed significantly from those of owners of control dogs. Stress hormone concentrations differed significantly between dogs with CHD and controls, but individual variation was too great for them to be of value in pain assessment. None of the radiologic variables examined correlated well with owner or veterinarian pain scores. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Chronic pain could be assessed in dogs with CHD through completion of the study questionnaire by a person familiar with the pet (eg, owner) after receiving appropriate education in its use. Eleven variables were identified as being potentially useful in assessment of chronic pain in dogs.
Quinidine thiourea-catalyzed aldol reaction of unactivated ketones: highly enantioselective synthesis of 3-alkyl-3-hydroxyindolin-2-ones.

Aldol reaction is one of the most important carbon-carbon bond formation reactions1 and, therefore, many asymmetric variants of this reaction have been developed in the past.1 Since List and Barbas discovered the proline-catalyzed cross aldol reaction of ketones and aldehydes,2 many amine derivatives, mainly proline derivatives, have been developed for the asymmetric cross aldol reactions.3 Mechanistically, these catalysts activate the ketones or enolizable aldehydes through the formation of an enamine intermediate (Scheme 1, upper equation). 3 The mechanism is usually a combination of both covalent and noncovalent catalyses since most of these catalysts also contain a hydrogen bonding moiety to direct the approach of the enamine acceptor. In contrast, although enol and enolate (Scheme 1, lower equation) are the active intermediates in the original aldol reactions,4 organocatalyzed enantioselective direct aldol reaction of unactivated ketones via the enolate mechanism is very difficult, because the acidity of the α-proton in these ketones is very low. To our knowledge, there has been no such report.5,6,7 Nevertheless, the enolate mechanism does have certain advantages, especially when the formation of an enamine is difficult. During our study of using activated ketone compounds as the enamine acceptors for the organocatalyzed aldol reactions,8 we envisioned such an organocatalyzed enolate-mediated aldol reaction should be possible if the enolate acceptor is sufficiently activated, because the equilibrium favors the formation of the product with such a substrate. Herein we wish to report the first enantioselective aldol reaction of unactivated ketones involving the enolate mechanism, which may be used for the high enantioselective synthesis of 3-alkyl-3-hydroxyindolin-2-ones.9
β-glucan triggers spondylarthritis and Crohn's disease-like ileitis in SKG mice.

OBJECTIVE The spondylarthritides (SpA), including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), reactive arthritis, and arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease, cause chronic inflammation of the large peripheral and axial joints, eyes, skin, ileum, and colon. Genetic studies reveal common candidate genes for AS, PsA, and Crohn's disease, including IL23R, IL12B, STAT3, and CARD9, all of which are associated with interleukin-23 (IL-23) signaling downstream of the dectin 1 β-glucan receptor. In autoimmune-prone SKG mice with mutated ZAP-70, which attenuates T cell receptor signaling and increases the autoreactivity of T cells in the peripheral repertoire, IL-17-dependent inflammatory arthritis developed after dectin 1-mediated fungal infection. This study was undertaken to determine whether SKG mice injected with 1,3-β-glucan (curdlan) develop evidence of SpA, and the relationship of innate and adaptive autoimmunity to this process. METHODS SKG mice and control BALB/c mice were injected once with curdlan or mannan. Arthritis was scored weekly, and organs were assessed for pathologic features. Anti-IL-23 monoclonal antibodies were injected into curdlan-treated SKG mice. CD4+ T cells were transferred from curdlan-treated mice to SCID mice, and sera were analyzed for autoantibodies. RESULTS After systemic injection of curdlan, SKG mice developed enthesitis, wrist, ankle, and sacroiliac joint arthritis, dactylitis, plantar fasciitis, vertebral inflammation, ileitis resembling Crohn's disease, and unilateral uveitis. Mannan triggered spondylitis and arthritis. Arthritis and spondylitis were T cell- and IL-23-dependent and were transferable to SCID recipients with CD4+ T cells. SpA was associated with collagen- and proteoglycan-specific autoantibodies. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that the SKG ZAP-70W163C mutation predisposes BALB/c mice to SpA, resulting from innate and adaptive autoimmunity, after systemic β-glucan or mannan exposure.
Influence of Industrial Attachment on Trainees’ Completion in Vocational training centres: A Case of Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

Industrial attachment (IA) is a very important component in most programmes at different levels of training. This study investigated the influence of industrial attachment (IA) on trainees completion in selected vocational training centres (VTCs) in Elgeyo Marakwet County. Vocational training centres were previously referred to Youth Polytechnics in Kenya up to 2013 when the country adopted the new name through an Act of Parliament. This was a further study to a research conducted in 2015 by Kiplagat, Ferej and Kafu which established that industrial attachment was one of the institution-based factors that negatively influenced completion levels of trainees in vocational training centres. Hence, this study was conducted to ascertain the nature of the influence. This study adopted descriptive research design. The present study was conducted in two well-established vocational training centres in Elgeyo Marakwet County. The data was purposively collected from VTC Managers, Deputy Managers and industrial attachment coordinators using semi-structured questionnaires. This target group was purposively selected because of their respective positions that were assumed to give valuable information for this study. Both quantitative and qualitative data presented for analysis. The findings of this study revealed that industrial attachment influenced trainee low completion in vocational training centres because some trainees never went back to VTCs after the end of industrial attachment. During the industrial attachment exercise, some of the trainees got pregnant, married early, employed, or felt that they had acquired adequate skills hence saw no need to go back. These made trainees not to go back to vocational training centres immediately after the end the attachment exercise or even not at all later to complete their studies. This study recommended that vocational training centres and parents should enhance guiding and counseling of trainees, vocational training centres should register trainees for examination before going for the attachment, parents should enhance financial support for their children on attachment, industrial attachment firms should release trainees back to the vocational training centres at the end of the attachment, among others.
Firm Size, Serial and Non-Serial Acquisition, and Stockholder Wealth

We find that first-time acquisitions and repeat acquisitions should be separated when examining the ‘size effect’ in acquiring firm returns. First, the lower returns to larger acquirers are driven by repeat acquisitions. Second, larger and better performing firms are especially likely to do repeat acquisitions. First-time acquisitions are more defensive in nature. Third, failure to account for self-selection in the acquisitions market induces downward bias in the returns to larger repeat acquirers. Fourth, repeat acquirers, and especially larger repeat acquirers, do relatively smaller acquisitions. Our results suggest that larger repeat acquirers do not disadvantage their shareholders when announcing acquisitions.
Does Job Search Assistance Really Raise Employment?

We study how job search assistance (JSA) affects employment in a randomized pilot study with long run administrative data. JSA increases employment in the first year after assignment. In the second year, when most job seekers have left JSA, the employment gains evaporate, and even turn into losses in the third year. This sinusoidal pattern is consistent with job finding and employment loss transitions. Job seekers assigned to JSA find employment faster but, once employed, also lose employment faster, especially once eligible for new unemployment benefits. Job seekers assigned to JSA have similar types of contracts and re-employment earnings, but somewhat worse positions in the firm and are more likely to have a part time job.
Effect of Aldose Reductase Inhibitor ONO 2235 on Reduced Sympathetic Nervous System Activity and Peripheral Nerve Disorders in STZ-lnduced Diabetic Rats

To test the hypothesis that inhibitors of aldose reductase, a key enzyme for polyol synthesis, prevent the decrease of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity and improve motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) through the reduction of sorbitol accumulation in streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, norepinephrine (NE) turnover (reliable indicator of SNS activity in the interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT), heart, and pancreas), and MNCV were measured in untreated STZ-induced diabetic rats, STZ-induced diabetic rats treated with an aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) (ONO 2235, 50 mg · kg−1 · day−1, orally), STZ-induced diabetic rats treated with insulin therapy, control rats, and control rats treated with ARI. As expected, results from studies with the inhibition of NE biosynthesis with α-methyl-p-tyrosine or radiolabeled NE to measure NE turnover demonstrated significant reductions in SNS activity in IBAT, heart, and pancreas of untreated STZinduced diabetic rats, compared with those in control rats. MNCV determined with the tail nerve was significantly reduced in untreated STZ-induced diabetic rats, compared with that of the controls. Both daily ARI treatment and insulin therapy in STZ-induced diabetic rats prevented partially but significantly the decrease of NE turnover in IBAT, heart, and pancreas, ameliorated MNCV, and reduced sorbitol accumulation in the nerve tissue and red blood cells. ARI treatment in control rats had no effect on NE turnover, MNCV, or sorbitol content. These results suggest that STZ-induced diabetic rats had not only motor neuropathy but also sympathetic nervous dysfunction and that ARI treatment might prevent these as well as insulin therapy does through the reduction of sorbitol accumulation.
Beekeeping in Tanzania: why is beekeeping not commercially viable in Mvomero?

Beekeeping is a long established economic activity in Tanzania. It contributes to the national economy by generating some US$ 19 million per annum and employing more than two million people. Beekeeping produces food and medicines, makes a significant contribution to bio-diversity, and encourages agricultural production through pollination. Moreover, more than 50% of Tanzania is covered by forests suitable for beekeeping. This potential is not fully exploited, and the sector is non-commercial. This study analyses the causes of the inability of rural Tanzanian beekeepers to establish commercially viable businesses. Using the case study research design, this qualitative study was conducted in the Mvomero district. Triangulation sampling techniques were used to select different beekeeping actors. Data was collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. The descriptive analysis and ‘current tree reality’ of thinking process techniques were used to identify constraints that limit beekeepers from commercialising the sector. The challenges that are repeatedly cited as the main hindrances to the growth and development of beekeeping include over-reliance on traditional hives and honey production methods, low volumes, poor quality honey, limited access to finance, and insufficient fodder. We conclude that insufficient beekeeping expertise (knowledge and skills) and management are the two critical underlying factors that have led to the current situation. Since this study was limited to answering the first question of the theory of constraints approach, a further study is suggested to answer the remaining two questions. Moreover, a study to assess obstacles that hinder the adoption of top bar hives in the area is vitally important.
Joint Command Support Through Workspace Analysis, Design and Optimization (Soutien du Commandement Interarmees au Moyen de L'Analyse, de la Conception et de L'Optimisation de L'Espace de Travail)

Abstract : The current Canadian Forces (CF) transformation focuses on network enabled capabilities and promotes joint operations both within the CF and under a broad joint, inter-agency, multinational, public (JIMP) paradigm. The past a few years have witnessed an increased demand on the science and technology (S&T) support for performing ergonomic analysis and workspace design for joint operations centres. A series of studies have been conducted from 2006 to 2008 in which workspace solutions were produced for three different joint command centres. In these studies, a new design process, Alternative method for Workspace Analysis and Design (AWAND), was proposed and then further developed. A-WAND is based on integrating and streamlining existing design procedures recommended in industrial standards and is tailored to support unique operational requirements of a CF joint command centre. In addition, it emphasizes the use of analytical methods and software tools that have been developed, and therefore possessed, by Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). This report describes AWAND, documents the best design practises, and discusses future research and development (R&D) efforts that are needed to further advance DRDC's capability in this area.
18F-FDOPA: A Multiple-Target Molecule

Although 6-18F-fluoro-l-dopa (18F-FDOPA) has been available to study the striatal dopaminergic system for more than 2 decades, the full potential of the tracer was not realized before the introduction of 18F-FDOPA PET and PET/CT to image a variety of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and pancreatic β-cell hyperplasia. Together with receptor-based imaging, 18F-FDOPA offers a formerly unforeseen means to assist in the management of NETs and infants with persistent hyperinsulinemic hyperplasia. Institutions with special expertise in surgical, oncologic, and radiologic therapeutic modalities for NETs derive the highest benefit from 18F-FDOPA PET/CT. 18F-FDOPA–guided therapy may add to NET control by ensuring maximal cytoreduction.
Correlation of BTI induced device parameter degradation and variation in scaled Metal Gate / High-k CMOS technologies

The correlation between time-zero device parameter and BTI induced parameter degradation is studied in detail. The device overdrive remains the dominant factor in the ΔI<sub>dsat</sub> for ultra-narrow logic gates while ΔV<sub>Tlin</sub> shows a weak but measurable correlation to the time-zero value. The correlation has an impact on the σ-values of V<sub>Tlin</sub> for stressed devices and should be considered for more accurate circuit aging simulations.
Does the Stock Market Value Inclusion on a Sustainability Index? An Event Study Using the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index

The concept of socially responsible investing (SRI) has evolved into a mainstream strategy for investments. Investors who place value on sustainability use SRI strategies to make investment decisions. Companies send a signal to stakeholders, including investors, that they are sustainability leaders by being recognized as a member of a sustainability index. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of the announcement that a company is added to, removed from, or remaining on the Dow Jones North America Sustainability Index (DJSI NA) on its stock price. An event study is used to measure the impact of the announcement by analyzing the abnormal stock returns over a 12-year period. The results indicate that a deletion of a company from the DJSI NA has a negative and statistically significant temporary impact on its stock price. Also, the addition of a company to the DJSI NA has a positive and statistically significant temporary impact on its stock price. However, excluding the inaugural year of the DJSI NA, only deletions from the index have a statistically significant impact on stock price.
Prior heat stress improves survival of ischemic‐reperfused skeletal muscle in vivo

The ability of heat stress to improve the survival of ischemic‐reperfused skeletal muscle in vivo was investigated. Ischemia‐reperfusion was applied using the rat hindlimb tourniquet model. The viability of ischemic‐reperfused muscle (11 ± 1%) was increased by prior mild heat stress (86 ± 2%). To investigate whether heat shock protein 70 (Hsp 70) expression in the muscle of the heated limb was responsible for this protection, the survival of Hsp 70–expressing transduced myoblasts and myocytes was measured after exposure to mediators of ischemia‐reperfusion injury. Survival was improved in Hsp 70–positive myoblasts but not in myocytes, suggesting that the mechanism of protection conferred by heat stress in vivo cannot be explained by the expression of Hsp 70 in myocytes and may involve a more complex mechanism. In conclusion, prior heat stress is effective in protecting mature skeletal muscle in vivo against necrosis after ischemia‐reperfusion and has potential for use in microsurgical procedures requiring tourniquet applications. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 23: 1847–1855, 2000