Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FROM RUIN TO BANKRUPTCY FOR COMPOUND POISSON SURPLUS PROCESSES

Abstract In classical risk theory, the infinite-time ruin probability of a surplus process Ct is calculated as the probability of the process becoming negative at some point in time. In this paper, we consider a relaxation of the ruin concept to the concept of bankruptcy, according to which one has a positive surplus-dependent probability to continue despite temporary negative surplus. We study the resulting bankruptcy probability for the compound Poisson risk model with exponential claim sizes for different bankruptcy rate functions, deriving analytical results, upper and lower bounds as well as an efficient simulation method. Numerical examples are given and the results are compared with the classical ruin probabilities. Finally, it is illustrated how the analysis can be extended to study the discounted penalty function under this relaxed ruin criterion.
Well-being and performance in academic settings. The predicting role of self-efficacy

El objetivo general de esta tesis has sido poner a prueba un modelo 'heuristico' que sirva para explicar las relaciones existentes entre: las creencias de autoeficacia de los estudiantes, los obstaculos-facilitadores que los estos perciben, sus niveles de burnout-engagement relacionados con sus estudios y su rendimiento academico. Ademas, tambien se ha puesto a prueba la eficacia de una intervencion disenada expresamente para incrementar los niveles de autoeficacia de los estudiantes universitarios. Para llevar a cabo este objetivo se han realizado cuatro estudios transversales y un estudio cuasi-experimental. De este modo, los resultados descritos en esta tesis permiten articular y cuantificar la relacion existente entre las variables anteriormente descritas (autoeficacia, obstaculos-facilitadores, burnout-engagement y rendimiento).
Effects of Family and Friend Support on LGB Youths' Mental Health and Sexual Orientation Milestones.

This study examined the effects of social support components and providers on mental health and sexual orientation (SO) milestones of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youths. Data were collected on 461 self-identified LGB adolescents and young adults. Family acceptance and support yielded the strongest positive effect on self-acceptance of SO, whereas friends' support and acceptance yielded the strongest positive effect on disclosure of SO. Family support had the strongest negative effect on youth's mental distress, whereas friends' and family support had the strongest positive effect on well-being. These findings highlight the importance of the daily perceptions of LGB youth within social and familial settings, indicating that both positive and negative aspects of support affect youths' mental health and identity development.
Afrika Statistika ISSN 0825-0305 Another look at Second order condition in Extreme Value Theory

Abstract. This note compares two approaches both alternatively used when establishing normality theorems in univariate Extreme Value Theory. When the underlying distribution function (df) is the extremal domain of attraction, it is possible to use representations for the quantile function and regularity conditions (RC), based on these representations, under which strong and weak convergence are valid. It is also possible to use the now fashion second order condition (SOC), whenever it holds, to do the same. Some authors usually favor the first approach (the SOC one) while others are fond of the second approach that we denote as the representational one. This note aims at comparing the two approaches and show how to get from one to the other. The auxiliary functions used in each approach are computed and compared. Statistical applications using simultaneously both approaches are provided. A final comparison is provided.
Absorption intensities and emission cross sections of principal intermanifold and inter-Stark transitions of Er3+(4f11) in polycrystalline ceramic garnet Y3Al5O12

A comparative spectroscopic study is performed on Er3+(4f11) ions doped in polycrystalline ceramic garnet Y3Al5O12 (YAG) and single-crystal laser rod, both containing nominal 50 at. % of Er3+. The standard Judd–Ofelt (JO) model is applied to the room-temperature absorption intensities of Er3+(4f11) transitions in both hosts to obtain the phenomenological intensity parameters. These parameters are subsequently used to determine the radiative decay rates, radiative lifetimes, and branching ratios of the Er3+ transitions from the upper multiplet manifolds to the corresponding lower-lying multiplet manifolds LJ2S+1 of Er3+(4f11) in these garnet hosts. The emission cross sections of the intermanifold Er3+I13∕24→I15∕24 (1.5 μm) transition as well as the principal inter-Stark transition Y1→Z4 (1550 nm) within the corresponding multiplet manifolds have been determined. The room-temperature fluorescence lifetimes of the I13∕24→I15∕24 (1.5 μm) transition in both polycrystalline ceramic and single-crystal YAG sample.
Terrestrial Laser Scanners Pre-Processing: Registration and Georeferencing

Terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) is a non-contact sensor, optics-based instrument that collects three dimensional (3D) data of a defined region of an object surface automatically and in a systematic pattern with a high data collecting rate. This capability has made TLS widely applied for numerous 3D applications. With the ability to provide dense 3D data, TLS has improved the processing phase in constructing complete 3D model, which is much simpler and faster. Pre-processing is one of the phases involved, which consisted of registration and georeferencing procedures. Due to the many error sources occur in TLS measurement, thus, pre-processing can be considered as very crucial phase to identify any existence of errors and outliers. Any presence of errors in this phase can decrease the quality of TLS final product. With intention to discuss about this issue, this study has performed two experiments, which involved with data collection for land slide monitoring and 3D topography. By implementing both direct and indirect pre-processing method, the outcomes have indicated that TLS is suitable for applications which require centimetre level of accuracy.
Differences in the Distribution of Peripheral Blood Leukocyte and Lymphocyte Subsets in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

Abstract Introduction: It has been suggested that individuals exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis can eliminate the infection through the innate immune response without the participation of the acquired immunity. However, T helper type 1 immune response is critical to control persistent infection. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of leukocyte and lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and positive Tuberculin Skin Test (TST). Methodology: In order to achieve that goal, we have collected blood sample from thirty-four treatment-naive TB patients, fifty TST-positive and forty-one TST-negative individuals. Results: The evaluation has shown a significant reduction in the number of total lymphocytes, B cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and percentage increase of NK cells, neutrophils and monocytes in TB patients, when compared to TSTpositive and TST-negative individuals. There was no statistical difference for leucocyte and lymphocyte subsets between TST-positive and TST-negative groups. Peripheral blood white cell counts change significantly at diagnosis. Conclusion: The quantification of these cells may support the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Keywords: Leucocytes. Lymphocyte subsets. Tuberculosis.
Experimental quantification of contact freezing in an electrodynamic balance

Abstract. Heterogeneous nucleation of ice in a supercooled water droplet induced by external contact with a dry aerosol particle has long been known to be more effective than freezing induced by the same nucleus immersed in the droplet. However, the experimental quantification of contact freezing is challenging. Here we report an experimental method to determine the temperature-dependent ice nucleation probability of size-selected aerosol particles. The method is based on the suspension of supercooled charged water droplets in a laminar flow of air containing aerosol particles as contact freezing nuclei. The rate of droplet–particle collisions is calculated numerically with account for Coulomb attraction, drag force and induced dipole interaction between charged droplet and aerosol particles. The calculation is verified by direct counting of aerosol particles collected by a levitated droplet. By repeating the experiment on individual droplets for a sufficient number of times, we are able to reproduce the statistical freezing behavior of a large ensemble of supercooled droplets and measure the average rate of freezing events. The freezing rate is equal to the product of the droplet–particle collision rate and the probability of freezing on a single contact, the latter being a function of temperature, size and composition of the contact ice nuclei. Based on these observations, we show that for the types of particles investigated so far, contact freezing is the dominating freezing mechanism on the timescale of our experiment.
Comparing Fludeoxyglucose F 18 – PET Assessment of Regional Cerebral Glucose Metabolism and [ 11 C ] Dihydrotetrabenazine – PET in Evaluation of Early Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Conclusions: Both DTBZ-PET K1 and FDG-PET CMRglc measurements provide comparable information in assessment of regional cerebral metabolic deficits in mild dementia and MCI. Blood flow measures can assess regional cerebral metabolism deficits accurately in mild dementia and MCI. Blood flow assessments of regional cerebral metabolic deficits can be combined with tracer binding results to improve utility of PET imaging in mild dementia and MCI.
Comparison of Geometrical Layouts for a Multi-Box Aerosol Model from a Single-Chamber Dispersion Study

Models are increasingly used to estimate and pre-emptively calculate the occupational exposure of airborne released particulate matter. Typical two-box models assume instant and fully mixed air volumes, which can potentially cause issues in cases with fast processes, slow air mixing, and/or large volumes. In this study, we present an aerosol dispersion model and validate it by comparing the modelled concentrations with concentrations measured during chamber experiments. We investigated whether a better estimation of concentrations was possible by using different geometrical layouts rather than a typical two-box layout. A one-box, two-box, and two three-box layouts were used. The one box model was found to underestimate the concentrations close to the source, while overestimating the concentrations in the far field. The two-box model layout performed well based on comparisons from the chamber study in systems with a steady source concentration for both slow and fast mixing. The three-box layout was found to better estimate the concentrations and the timing of the peaks for fluctuating concentrations than the one-box or two-box layouts under relatively slow mixing conditions. This finding suggests that industry-relevant scaled volumes should be tested in practice to gain more knowledge about when to use the two-box or the three-box layout schemes for multi-box models.
Lipids Sphingolipid Biosynthesis by Rat Liver Cells : Effects of Serine , Fatty Acids and LJpoproteins 1 2

The effects of circulating factors that might influence de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis were examined with rat liver cells by following the incorporation of ["C Â¡serine into sphingosine and sphinganine, the predominant longchain base backbones of hepatic sphingolipids. The rate of long-chain base formation depended on the concentra tion of["C]serine in the medium and exhibited saturation kinetics. Long-chain base formation was stimulated by an other precursor, palmitic acid, but stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids were inhibitory. This kinetic behavior indicates that long-chain base formation in liver is affected by the availability of the substrates of the initial enzyme of this pathway, serine palmitoyltransferase. Since liver is also exposed to sphingolipids associated with circulating lipoproteins, the effects of various lipoprotein fractions were determined and each appeared to decrease long-chain base formation. These results suggest that hepatic long-chain base biosynthesis can be stimulated by increases in the circulating levels of the precursors serine and palmitic acid whereas some other fatty acids and lipoproteins decrease the flux through this pathway. J. Nutr. 119: 534-538, 1989.
Trichomonas vaginalis cases presenting at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hosptial, Ghana over a period of 11 years: 1994 to 2004

infections diagnosed at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi over an eleven (11) years period (1994 to 2004). The retrospective study involves the yearly distribution of the infection as well as the monthly distribution relating them to the ages and sex. The mean ages of males and females infected were 28.8 and 26.0 years, respectively. The prevalent age groups mostly infected were found to be 18 to 31 for both males and females. The age distribution of
Bioimpedance Evaluation of Body Fat Composition in Congolese HIV-Infected Patients under Antiretroviral Therapy Regimen Non-Containing Protease Inhibitors nor Stavudine

Background: Protease inhibitors (PI) and stavudine are frequently associated with abnormalities of the body composition. The present study aimed to evaluate the body fat composition of HIV-infected Congolese patients receiving antiretroviral other than PI or stavudine. Patients and Methods: Anthropometric measures and body composition of 125 HIV-infected Congolese patients (average age 41 years, 76% women, 74% on antiretroviral therapy) attending a primary healthcare center was cross-sectionally evaluated. Patients receiving PI and/or stavudine were excluded. Subclinical abnormalities of body composition, evaluated by bioimpedance (BIA), were defined as elevated percentage of fat mass (FM) and perivisceral fat mass (PVF) and low percentage of total FM. Results: Clinically evaluated abnormalities of fat distribution were rarely seen, with any case of obesity or lipodystrophy. Overweight (16%) and central obesity (6.3%) were present only in a few women. BIA parameters of body fat composition were similar among antiretroviral naive and treated patients. An average higher percentage of FM (28% vs. 12.1%; p<0.001) and PVF (4.0% vs. 2.3%; p=0.002) were observed in women, with as well as a higher proportion of subjects with high levels of FM (12.6%) and PVF (2.2%) in the same group. Thinness was observed only in 6% of patients of whom 83.3% of men and 68.4% of women (p=0.059) had low levels of FM. Conclusion: Subclinical abnormalities of FM were present in these case series without clinically overt fat distribution abnormalities, highlighting the need for early detection of these FM abnormalities.
A study of energetic large-scale structures in turbulent boundary layer

This study established the connection in turbulent boundary layers between the first two dominant proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) modes and the instantaneous large-scale turbulence structures. The velocity fields consistent with the signature velocity fields of the hairpin vortex packets in two-dimensional PIV (particle image velocimetry) measurement planes are observed as the major contributors to the first two POD modes. Another kind of equally important turbulence structure is the large region of Q4 vectors, which may possibly be obtained by slicing the outskirts of the three-dimensional structure of the hairpin vortex packet by PIV planes. The streamwise Reynolds normal stress, Reynolds shear stress, and the length scales of the two-point velocity correlation coefficients ρuu and ρuv are noticeably decreased without those large-scale turbulence structures contributing significantly to the first POD mode. Similarity of these results is observed at a higher Reynolds number.
ENTEROATMOSPHERIC FISTULAS ! THE CHALLENGE OF THE OPEN ABDOMEN

Introduction : In the past two decades, the open abdomen (OA) technique has gained wide popularity as an effective approach in the cases with severe peritonitis, abdominal compartment syndrome and critical trauma. However, it is still associated with high complication rate. Enteroatmospheric fistulas are the most devastating complication. Despite the numerous techniques described in the literature, their management remains a challenging task. Material and methods: The present study analyses the frequency of enteroatmospheric fistulas in two cohorts managed by open abdomen and discussed the results from their treatment in the V.A. C. group. The first cohort includes 69 consecutive patients temporarily closed by V.A. C. abdominal dressing, whereas the other one encompasses 83 patients treated by mesh-foil laparostomy. The fistula effluent was isolated by 10 ml syringe barrel according to the technique of Verhaalen. Results: Overall, 5/69 (7.2%) fistulas were identified. All were high output (>500 ml) small bowel fistulas. One patient died before fistula closure (25%, 1/5). A controlled enterocutaneous fistula was achieved in 2 patients and spontaneous closure in one. In one case an extensive small bowel resection due to intractable ileus was performed. The mean ICU and hospital stay in the fistula group were 15.2 (7-28) and 55.6 (32-84) days versus 8.2 (2-30) and 16.7 (3-84) respectively. Conclusion: The enteroatmospheric fistulas are the most dangerous complication of the open abdomen. The best treatment is their isolation combined with V.A. C. at the early stages and resection with primary anastomosis after 3-12 months.
Lateral Flow Immunoassays for Aflatoxins B and G and for Aflatoxin M1

Aflatoxins (AFs), secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus Flavus and Aspergilluspara‐ siticus, are a numerous group of chemically related compounds characterised by high toxici‐ ty. Among these, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most potent known carcinogen for liver and, together with aflatoxins B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1) and G2 (AFG2) is the most frequently found and the most toxic of the group [1]. Therefore, maximum residue levels (MRLs) for AFB1 and for the sum of the four AFB1 + AFB2 + AFG1 + AFG2 (total aflatoxins) in food and feed have been set by the European Union [2-4] and all over the world [5-7].
Effective process times for multi-server flowlines with finite buffers

An Effective Process Time (EPT) approach is proposed for the building of aggregate models to represent multi-server tandem queues with finite buffers. EPT distributions of the workstations in the flow line are measured without identifying the contributing factors. A sample path equation is used to compute the EPT realizations from arrival and departure events of lots at the respective workstations. If the amount of blocking in the line is high, the goodness of fits of the EPT distribution determines the accuracy of the EPT-based aggregate model. Otherwise, an aggregate model based on just the first two moments of the EPT distributions is sufficient to obtain accurate predictions. The approach is illustrated in an industrial case study using both simulation and analytical queueing approximations as aggregate models.
Factors Influencing the Behavior Intention of Mobile Commerce Service Users: An Exploratory Study in Hong Kong

This study identifies and explores key determinants of the behavior intention of mobile commerce service users in Hong Kong. Findings from 390 respondents to a questionnaire survey indicated that the four key factors influencing users’ intention to use a mobile commerce service are: the attitude of users toward the mobile commerce service, the users’ perceived subjective norm, or the intensity of social and peer group pressure to use a mobile commerce service; the perceived ease of use of the mobile commerce service, and the localization of the mobile commerce service. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in the fields of service marketing, technology adoption, and customer relationship management.
The Determinants of Capital Structure Choice

This paper analyzes the explanatory power of some recent theories of optimal capital structure. The study extends empirical work on capital-structure theory in three ways. First, it examines a broader set of capital-structure theories, many of which have not previously been analyzed empirically. Second, since the theories have different empirical implications in regards to different types of debt instruments, the authors analyze measures of short-term, long-term, and convertible debt rather than an aggregate measure of total debt. And third, the study uses a factor-analytic technique that mitigates the measurement problems encountered when working with proxy variables. Copyright 1988 by American Finance Association.
Adult leukaemia in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

The objective was to determine the incidence and survival of patients with Leukaemia in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria noted for its petrochemical industries. Design: A prospective study of 120 cases of leukaemia from December 1993 to 2003. Setting: University of Benin Teaching Hospital Nigeria. Main Outcome measures: Demographic and clinical information including duration of illness before presentation was obtained by oral interview. Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) was the most frequent subtype (33.3%). There was a strong association between the white blood cell count at presentation and 1 year survival in CML and CLL patients (p = 0.0001). The 2-year survival for CML CLL and PLL was 12.5% 40% and 32% respectively. Duration of illness before presentation was found to influence 1-year survival in CML (p = 0.0075) and CLL (p = 0.0001). The 2-year survival is still very poor and this may not be unconnected with late presentation and other strong limiting factors. (authors)
Quality Polarization and International Trade Till

This paper builds a model that examines firm heterogeneity across two dimensions: productivity and quality. We show that when firms are able to choose their input quality and there exists a negative relationship between a firm's product quality and their marginal cost, this can lead to a non-unimodal distribution of quality across firms. Trade liberalization, represented by reductions in trade costs, and stronger vertical linkages, represented by an increase in the cost share of intermediate goods, shift the distribution of firms towards the modes of the distribution, which we call quality polarization. With this approach, we are able to explain empirical trade patterns relating to firm size, prices, and quality of exported goods. JEL Codes: F12, L11, L16,O14.
Electrognathographic Analysis of Jaw Movements during Speech: AnExploratory Study

The purpose of the study was to compare the mandibular movement during speech in patients with temporomandibular disorder (muscular TMD) and in asymptomatic volunteers using computerized electrognathography. Twelve asymptomatic volunteers (Group I control group) and 12 patients with muscular TMD (Group II) were selected. Both groups were subjected to a phonetic test and evaluated according to: maximum mandibular opening amplitude (mm), mandibular velocity during opening and closing (mm/sec) and maximum lateral deviation to both right and left sides (mm). Regarding to the mandible movements both frontal and horizontal planes, as well as the mandible deviations, there was no difference between Group I and Group II for all parameters analyzed. Regarding to the mandible movements in frontal and horizontal planes as well as the mandible deviations, there was no difference between group I and group II (muscular TMD and Asymptomatic). There was a statistical difference for the maximum mandibular velocity during opening and closing during speech in symptomatic patients.