Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymmetry in Luticola species

Morphological asymmetry in raphid pennate diatoms is detectable not only by valve outline and specific frustule features, but also in their ontogeny. All raphid pennate diatoms exhibit cryptic lateral polarity, which is associated with the asymmetric formation of the valve sides along the apical axis. Differences in the relative widths of primary and secondary valve sides have proven taxonomically important for separating dorsiventral genera within the Cymbellales. However, rigorous studies examining subtle asymmetric differences in valve outline are scarce. In the present geometric morphometric study of 23 Luticola species, the total asymmetry in valve outline of natural populations was decomposed into components of directional asymmetry (DA) and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) to test whether cryptic directional asymmetry has a significant effect on valve outlines across the genus as a whole. The patterns of asymmetric variation provide a view on average asymmetry of populations (evaluated by DA) and individual asymmetric deviations (associated with FA). Subtle, but statistically significant, average irregularities between the primary and secondary sides of Luticola species (i.e., the effect of DA) were found in all but two species. Patterns of DA between valve sides were quite similar in 17 of the analysed species. This likely indicates common developmental patterns in their morphogenesis. The effect of FA, which has often been used as a proxy of developmental instability of populations, was significant in all Luticola species. Since FA scores of individual cells were not correlated with size diminution of most species, FA might reflect the effect of environmental factors but not life cycle changes. The methodological framework presented in this study could be valuable for future work focused on evolutionarily and/or environmentally related shape aberrations and valve variation in pennate diatoms.
Analysis of Additives in Milk Powders with SPE-HPLC or 2D-HPLC Method

Dairy products are beneficial to human health, especially for formula-fed newborns. According to the regulation of FDA and China national food safety standard, food additives such as benzoic acid, sorbic acid, natamycin, lysozyme, saccharin sodium, and aspartame are not permitted to be added to milk powder. So, the establishment of accurate and convenient methods for the analysis of these food additives in milk powder is critical to people’s health. For the reason of the complex matrix of infant milk powders, we compared six sample pretreatment methods (liquid-liquid extraction, organic precipitation, heavy precipitation, and three different solid-phase extraction (SPE) methods (C18, HLB, MAX)) from recovery, easy operation, time cost, and organic solvent usage aspects. Finally, Poly-Sery HLB cartridge was confirmed as the most appropriate material for its high recovery and time cost merits. We are also introducing two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2DLC) method for the simultaneous determination of five major proteins and seven food additives in milk powders. Optimization of switching mode, choice of columns, mobile phase, and flow speed was discussed. We also compared limit of detection (LOD), recovery, and sample treatment with the results of high-perfor-mance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results show that 2DLC is simpler, faster, and more accurate than the HPLC method.
Reinforcement learning is direct adaptive optimal control

Neural network reinforcement learning methods are described and considered as a direct approach to adaptive optimal control of nonlinear systems. These methods have their roots in studies of animal learning and in early learning control work. An emerging deeper understanding of these methods is summarized that is obtained by viewing them as a synthesis of dynamic programming and stochastic approximation methods. The focus is on Q-learning systems, which maintain estimates of utilities for all state-action pairs and make use of these estimates to select actions. The use of hybrid direct/indirect methods is briefly discussed. <<ETX>>
Altered brain activity in autistic children versus healthy controls while performing simple tasks using fMRI

ALTERED BRAIN ACTIVITY IN AUTISTIC CHILDREN VERSUS HEALTHY CONTROLS WHILE PERFORMING SIMPLE TASKS USING fMRI by Donald Martin Adams, Jr. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies dealing with Autistic children have primarily been concerned with cognitive facial recognition. Recent studies have demonstrated that Autistic children, when compared to healthy matched controls, exhibit higher neuronal activity when identifying patterns or objects, but lower levels of activity in regards to facial recognition. The objective of this study was to examine both facial and object recognition and compare them to simple sensorimotor tasks. All subjects were administered 5 stimuli each lasting 320 seconds. Subjects were instructed to use a button press box to identify between a Person/Object and an Arrow/Object. They were then asked to complete three simple sensorimotor tasks of Mouth Open/Closed, Eyes Left/Right, and Eyes Open/Closed. It was hypothesized that matched healthy controls would show a higher level of activation, specifically in the frontal gyrus. Attention was focused on the middle frontal gyms and the inferior frontal gyms, of both the left and right sides of the brain. Temporal correlations between these 4 regions-of-interest (ROIs) were examined for all 5 stimuli. A ttest was then performed across subjects to reveal differences in correlation coefficients between the 4 ROIs in relation to these two subject groups. The investigation demonstrated reduced overall activation, as well as reduced correlation coefficients among the 4 ROIs, in Autistics when compared to healthy matched controls. These findings suggest that Autistics may have compromised connectivity between these brain regions. ALTERED BRAIN ACTIVITY IN AUTISTIC CHILDREN VERSUS HEALTHY CONTROLS WHILE PERFORMING SIMPLE TASKS USING fMRI by Donald Martin Adams, Jr. A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of New Jersey Institute of Technology in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering Department of Biomedical Engineering May 2008 APPROVAL PAGE ALTERED BRAIN ACTIVITY IN AUTISTIC CHILDREN VERSUS HEALTHY CONTROLS WHILE PERFORMING SIMPLE TASKS USING fMRI Donald Martin Adams, Jr. Dr. Bharat B. Biswal, Thesis Co-Advisor Date Associate Professor of Radiology, UMDNJ Dr: Richard A. Foulds, thesis Co-Advisor Date Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, NJIT Dr. Tara L. Alvarez, Committee Member Date Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, NJIT Dr. Atam P. Dhawan, Committee Member Date Chairperson and Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, NJIT
State Financial Losses in Public Procurement Construction Projects in Indonesia

To sustainably eradicate corruption, extraordinary efforts are needed particularly in the context of construction projects. In this study, the state losses in government-funded construction projects in Indonesia is analyzed. Research data were collected through field observations for types of work that were not completed per technical specifications. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. The results indicate that structural work was responsible for 98.70% of total state losses. The top three state losses were found to be associated with concrete, roads, and front stonework, and the values are 40.40%, 28.43%, and 18.23% respectively. Loss in architectural work was the smallest (1.30%). The outcomes of this survey offer a knowledge basis for law enforcement authorities and construction project supervisors to pay more attention to projects involving concrete structures, rigid pavement structures during road construction, and stonework.
Attack Characterization and Intrusion Detection using an Ensemble of Self-Organizing Maps

Self-organized maps (SOM) use an unsupervised learning technique to independently organize a set of input patterns into various classes. In this paper, we use an ensemble of SOMs to identify computer attacks and characterize them appropriately using the major classes of computer attacks (denial of service, probe, user-to-root and remote-to-local). The procedure produces a set of confidence levels for each connection as a way to describe the connection's behavior
Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems: An Update

This article provides an overview of the Circumplex Model and how it was developed and describes the three major dimensions (cohesion, flexibility, and communication) and how they were used to create the model. There are three major hypotheses and two assessments (FACES IV and the Clinical Rating Scale) used to test the hypotheses. The model is useful for describing couple and family systems and for plotting how they change over time. The model is also used to describe other systems such as parenting and classroom settings. Personal use of the model is described and future directions and challenges for the model presented.
Assessing the Predictability of Heavy Rainfall Events in Japan in Early July 2018 on Medium-Range Timescales

Extremely heavy rainfall events occurred over western Japan in early July 2018. This study assesses the predictability of these events for the period 5−7 July using three operational mediumrange ensemble forecasts available from the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), and ensemble simulations conducted with an ECMWF model and NCEP operational ensemble initial conditions. All three operational ensembles predicted extreme rainfall on 5−6 July at lead times of ≤ 6 days, indicating the high predictability of this event. However, the extreme rainfall event of 6−7 July was less predictable. The NCEP forecasts, initialised on 30 June, performed better at predicting this event than the other operational forecasts. The JMA forecasts initialised on 1 July showed improved predictability; however, the ECMWF forecasts initialised after 30 June showed only gradual improvements as the initialisation time progressed. The ensemble simulations revealed that the lower predictability of the rainfall in the ECMWF forecasts on 6−7 July can be attributed to the model rather than to the initial conditions. Accurate prediction of the North Pacific Subtropical High is a prerequisite for accurate prediction of such extreme rainfall events. (Citation: Matsunobu, T., and M. Matsueda, 2019: Assessing the predictability of heavy rainfall events in Japan in early July 2018 on medium-range timescales. SOLA, 15A, 19−24, doi: 10.2151/sola.15A-004.)
THE EFFECT OF SERVICE QUALITY ON THE HOSPITAL IMAGE IN BATAM

The aims of this research to examine the effect of service quality on the hospital image in Batam through customer satisfaction as an intervening variable. Service quality was measured by quality dimensions namely: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, empathy, and assurance. Sampling method in this research using purposive sampling. Research objects is one public hospital and one private hospital in Batam with 196 sample respondents. The results of this research showed that service quality has a significant impact on hospital image through customer satisfaction as an intervening variable. Limitations of this research are the respondents only from the patients or visitors and only use one private hospital and one public hospital. Implications obtained in this research that service quality is good or bad will affect to customer satisfaction and it will be affect to image or impression of the customers toward hospital. The future studies may added samples not only in hospital but in other health care also.
To BE or not to BE: non-invasive screening for Barrett's esophagus, dysplasia and adenocarcinoma.

The EsophaCap™ DNA methylation biomarker validation study by Wang, Kambhampati and colleagues (1) follows a spade of reports (summarized in Table 1 ) aiming to develop screening tests for Barrett’s esophagus (BE). BE is a non-malignant metaplastic condition with little or no clinical symptoms. Arguably, the main importance of diagnosing BE is the increased risk of the patient to progress to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC).
Effect of Pozzolan and Nitrogen Fertilizer in Reducing Irrigation Water and Soil Moisture Stress in Three Eggplant Cultivars (solanum melongina)

Two field experiments were carried out during 2009 and 2010 seasons to study the effects of pozzolan, nitrogen fertilization levels, (50, 75, 100, and 125 kg N/ha) and four irrigation intervals (2, 4, 6, and 8 days) on fruit yield, yield components and chemical proprieties of 3 eggplant cultivars (black beauty, long purple and top bell) in a split split split plot design with three replications. The results indicated that pozzolan treatment significantly increased plant height, leaf area/ plant, no. of fruits/plant and fruit yield/ha besides total soluble solids (TSS) and vitamin C in fruit compared with the pare land (without pozzolan). Increasing irrigation interval significantly reduced plant height, leaf area/plant, no. of fruits /plant, fruit yield/ha and increased TSS, and Vitamin C in fruits. As nitrogen fertilizer increased, plant height, leaf area, no. of fruits/plant and fruit yield/ha significantly increased also TSS, and Vitamin C in fruits increased. Eggplant cultivars significantly varied in their response to pozzolan, irrigation interval and nitrogen fertilizer treatments. Black beauty cultivar significantly dominated the other cultivars in fruit yield/ ha.
New evidence on the firm-university linkages in Europe. The role of meritocratic management practices

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the determinants of university-industry links in five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK), using internationally comparable firm-level data for the period 2007–2009. Besides the usual firm-specific variables, it examines the role of meritocratic management practices in firms’ decisions to collaborate in R&D. Firm innovative efforts, the export status and the R&D government support are positively related to business-university links in almost all countries, human capital and firms’ size in two out of five countries under scrutiny, while belonging to science-based sectors does not seem to play a significant role in all countries but Italy. Importantly, we find that meritocratic managerial practices positively affect the firm-university nexus in Germany, France and the UK, while meritocracy does not appear to enhance businesses’ R&D collaboration in Italy and in Spain.
A bi-objective optimization approach for configuring surgical trays with ergonomic risk consideration

Abstract For a surgical procedure, the instruments a surgeon has requested are grouped into multiple containers that are referred to as trays. Empirical studies have shown that a large percentage of the instruments that are cleaned and sterilized after a procedure were not even used. In addition, each tray needs to be frequently lifted, which puts perioperative nurses and technicians (PNTs) at risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs), especially when the trays are overweight. The problem of grouping sterile instruments into trays and determining the tray types for each surgeon and procedure is an NP-hard problem known as the tray optimization problem (TOP). We have developed a bi-objective mathematical model to solve the TOP with the aim of concurrently improving the utilization rate of the instruments and minimizing the tray types required for each procedure. We have established a novel heuristic using an iterated local search (ILS) to quickly and efficiently solve the problem. Computational results over historical data show that the designed ILS is superior to known exact methods. Finally, we have shown to what extent changing the weight limit of trays may have implications on the number of tray types and utilization rate of instruments within trays.
A study of whole blood donor deferrals in the blood bank of a rural medical college in India

Introduction: To provide safe blood to the recipients, proper donor selection and deferral is as important as screening of blood bags for various transfusion transmissible infections (TTI). Aims and Objectives: To study and analyse various causes & rate of pre-donation deferral of blood donors and to take proper follow up actions to decrease the temporary deferral rate without compromising blood quality and recipient’s safety, thus retaining prospective blood donors and preventing loss of precious blood. Materials and Method: A retrospective study of various causes of pre-donation deferral of whole blood donors in the blood bank of our institute was done. Records of all deferrals of Financial Year 2012 to 2016 (4 years) were reviewed and analysed. Results: A total of 6633 potential blood donors were registered during the study period which includes 6474 males (97.6%) and 159 females (2.4%) with 5840 Voluntary and 793 Replacement donations. Out of which, a total of 273 donors (4.11%) were deferred due to various reasons. Among these, 235 were Temporary (86.08%) and 38 were Permanent deferrals (13.92%). The main reason for temporary deferral is Low Haemoglobin; while for permanent deferral is Hepatitis B Positivity. Conclusion: The donor deferral rate obtained in our study is 4.11% which is quite good as compared to higher deferral rates of some other studies. Majority of the donors were males, so encouragement and motivation of female donors is equally important to increase the overall donor pool. Temporary deferrals were more as compared to permanent deferrals. So by counselling and educating the temporary deferred donors regarding some common causes of temporary deferrals and deferral period, they can be brought back for future donations. The Leading causes of permanent deferrals were Transfusion Transmissible Infections (HBV, HIV, HCV). So proper counselling is also necessary to prevent them from donating blood for the safety of the recipient. In this ways, a pool of healthy blood donors can be increased without compromising quality of blood and safety of the recipients as well as donors.
Intensive mothering in hard times: Foucauldian ethical self-formation and cruel optimism

Discourses of intensive mothering now seem to dominate European and American parenting cultures. This is a problem for those mothers who do not currently possess the resources to match up. In a study of Italian and British mothers who are experiencing low or reduced incomes, we observe the ways in which they internalize intensive mothering discourses through a process of ethical self-formation. This mode of self-formation involves detailed self-surveillance and self-discipline and abnegation of their own needs in place of other individual family members, and the family as a whole. We find a series of contradictory emotional effects which generate both pride and self-worth but also stress and anxiety. We advance the theory that mothers operate within an optimistic affective regime to make sense of these contradictory effects and retain a sense of agency and control over their lives and those of their families. However, drawing on Berlant’s concept of cruel optimism, we argue that such affective regimes may be very pernicious in their effects, only serving to hold mothers in a relation that is ultimately impassable and often unfulfilling.
Comparative effectiveness of antifungal agents in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to use a network meta-analysis to evaluate the relative efficacy of various agents at preventing invasive fungal infections (IFIs). In this way, suitable prophylactic regimens may be selected for patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods: We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing the prophylactic effects of two antifungal agents or an antifungal agent and a placebo administered to patients with HSCT. Relevant studies were found in the PubMed and Cochrane databases. Unpublished studies were collected from the ClinicalTrials.gov registry. Results: Sixteen two-arm studies were identified. Compared with placebo, all six antifungal agents (amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, micafungin, posaconazole, and voriconazole) presented with greater efficacy at controlling proven IFIs. OR ranged from 0.08 to 0.29. Voriconazole (surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA]=71.6%), posaconazole (SUCRA=68.9%), and itraconazole (SUCRA=64.7%) were the three top-ranking drugs for preventing proven IFIs. Itraconazole ranked highest (SUCRA=83.1%) and had the greatest efficacy at preventing invasive candidiasis. Posaconazole and micafungin were the two top-ranking drugs (SUCRA=81.3% and 78.4%, respectively) at preventing invasive aspergillosis. Micafungin and voriconazole were the drugs of choice because they lowered mortality more than the other agents (SUCRA=74.6% and 61.1%, respectively). Conclusion: This study is the first network meta-analysis to explore the prophylactic effects of antifungal agents in patients with HSCT. Voriconazole was the best choice for the prevention of proven IFIs in HSCT patients.
‘I don’t think you will understand me because really, I believe’ – Unaccompanied female minors re-negotiating religion

The role of religion in migration has been a contested subject in previous research and social work practice, with religion being considered both a bridge and a barrier to integration. When considering unaccompanied female minors, struggling to be recognised beyond the prevailing image of the victimised refugee girl, religion is sometimes seen as a force of oppression rather than a tool for integration. In this article, we focus on the embodied practices of young women’s lived religion in a context where such practices are constructed as otherness. Based on an interview study with 11 unaccompanied female minors, this article explores the identity negotiations that emerged when migrating from societies where religion plays an integral part in everyday life to a society with highly secular values. By using the concept of (oppositional) gaze, we explore how these young women negotiate their identities at a point where the normative, invisible gaze meets the embodied practices of lived religion. We demonstrate how these young women are themselves agents of their own faith, and we confirm previous research that points to religion as a support structure for unaccompanied minors; however, not without causing friction in their new society. The study shows how lived practices of religion and the development of an oppositional gaze can function as mutually reinforcing processes in identity negotiation. In social work, understanding the role of religion through lived practices might contribute to a more holistic approach when creating solutions for young people experiencing turbulent circumstances of arriving in a new country.