Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative stability estimates for solutions of Fokker-Planck equations

We consider the Fokker-Planck equations with weakly differentiable coefficients. Using Trevisan's superposition principle which represents the solution as the marginal of the solution to the martingale problem of the diffusion operator, we shall establish quantitative stability estimates for the solutions of Fokker-Planck equations.
Control of a high Reynolds number Mach 0.9 heated jet using plasma actuators

The results of particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements in a high subsonic, heated, jet forced using localized arc filament plasma actuators (LAFPAs) show that LAFPAs can consistently produce significant mixing enhancement over a wide range of temperatures. These actuators have been used successfully in high Reynolds number, high-speed unheated jets. The facility consists of an axisymmetric jet with different nozzle blocks of exit diameter of 2.54 cm and variable jet temperature in an anechoic chamber. The focus of this paper is on a high subsonic (Mj=0.9) jet. Twelve experiments with various forcing azimuthal modes (m=0, 1, and ±1) and temperatures (To/Ta=1.0, 1.4, and 2.0) at a fixed forcing Strouhal number (StDF=0.3) have been conducted and PIV results compared with the baseline results to characterize the effectiveness of LAFPAs for mixing enhancement. Centerline velocity and turbulent kinetic energy as well as jet width are used for determining the LAFPAs’ effectiveness. The characteristics of l.
Low Prevalence and Risk Factors Related to HIV-1 Mother to Child Transmission under Option B+ Program at 3 Referral Military and Public Hospitals in Cameroon

Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) Mother-To-Child Transmission (MTCT) prevalence and its predictors. Following the limited success achieved with the previous MTCT prevention programs, the Cameroon’s public health ministry adopted in 2014 the Option B+ program that recommends a systematic lifelong treatment to all HIV positive pregnant woman. Study Design: A case-control study was conducted within two groups: a reference group constituted of exposed infants from HIV positive mothers undergoing Option B+ program, and a control group of infants from Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) naive HIV positive mothers during pregnancy. Place and Duration of Study: Douala and Yaounde Military Hospitals (HMR2 and HMR1 respectively) as well as the Bertoua Regional Hospital (HRB), From October 2017 to March 2018. Methodology: This research included infected mother - exposed child pairs. Infected mothers’ sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were reported. Infants sampled at six weeks at the HIV MTCT prevention units were tested at the Military Health Research Center for HIV-1 RNA early detection through rtPCR with Abbott m2000sp automated system. Multivariate logistic regression model was built to assess the predictors of MTCT and to compare groups. Results: Within the study period, the overall HIV-1 prevalence in the 107 six weeks old reference group infants and 23 control group infants was nil and 4.35% (1/23) respectively. Logistic regression showed that predictors of HIV-1 MTCT were: home delivery p=0.03 and absence of ART during pregnancy p = 0.04. Conclusion: Vertical transmission of HIV-1 infection is more likely in ART naïve pregnant women as compared to their counterparts established on ART. Hence, implementation of the Option B+ appear to be very essential in eliminating HIV-1 MTCT. Consequently, a systematic enrolment of these pregnant women living with HIV if scaled up, would be very instrumental in eliminating HIV-1 MTCT in Cameroon.
Investigation of the Relationships Between Perceived Qualities and Sound Parameters of Saxophone Reeds

The perceived quality of cane reeds used on saxophones or clarinets may be very different from one reed to another even though the reeds have the same shape and strength. The aim of this work is to better understand the differences in the perceived quality of reeds by making use of acoustical measurements. A perceptual study, involving a panel of 10 musicians, was first conducted on a set of 20 reeds of the same strength. Each musician assessed each of the 20 reeds according to three descriptors: Brightness , Softness , and Global quality. Second, signal recordings during saxophone playing (saxophone playing by a musician in the laboratory, called in vivo measurements) were made of the pressures in a player’s mouth, in the mouthpiece, and at the bell of the instrument. These measurements enable us to deduce specific acoustical variables, such as the threshold pressure or the spectral centroid of the notes. After an analysis of the perceptual and acoustical data (assessment of the agreement among the assessors and the main consensual differences between the reeds), correlations between the perceptual and acoustical data were performed. A modeling of the descriptors Brightness and Softness according to the acoustical variables is proposed using multiple linear regression. Results show that the
Integrability, Recursion Operators and Soliton Interactions

This volume contains selected papers based on the talks,presented at the Conference "Integrability, Recursion Operators and Soliton Interactions", held in Sofia, Bulgaria (29 - 31 August 2012) at the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Included are also invited papers presenting new research developments in the thematic area. The Conference was dedicated to the 65-th birthday of our esteemed colleague and friend Vladimir Gerdjikov. The event brought together more than 30 scientists, from 6 European countries to celebrate Vladimir's scientific achievements. All participants enjoyed a variety of excellent talks in a friendly and stimulating atmosphere. The main topics of the conference were those where Vladimir has contributed enormously during his career: integrable nonlinear partial differential equations, underlying algebraic and geometric structures of the integrable systems, soliton solutions, soliton interactions, quantum integrable systems, discrete integrable systems and applications of the nonlinear models. The papers, included in this volume will be useful to researchers with interests in these areas.
Expected Variations of Small-scale Cosmic Ray Anisotropies with Time and Energy

The arrival directions of TeV cosmic rays on the sky display an anisotropy at the 0.1 percent level. This anisotropy contains a dipole and higher order multipoles. Small-scale anisotropies should contain important information about the properties of the turbulent magnetic ﬁelds in the interstellar medium [1]. These anisotropies have been predicted to vary on a time-scale of a decade at TeV energies [2]. To date, no time variation has been detected. Whether experiments can detect such time variations or not depends on their energy resolutions ( 4 𝐸 (cid:157) 𝐸 ). Finite energy resolutions can result in substantial changes of the anisotropy at small scales. Compared to previous works on this topic, we consider here the eﬀect of the energy resolution on the detectability of time variations. We use the code of this work [1]. We ﬁnd that the amplitude of the diﬀerence between two instants in time will be smaller than in calculations where the energy resolution is not taken into account. We also study in detail the energy dependence of the small-scale anisotropies. We ﬁnd that the amplitudes of the observed small-scale anisotropy structures are larger with a better energy resolution.
Well-known or well-liked? The effects of brand reputation on customers’ responses to service failure

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the effect of brand reputation (both holistic and dimensional) on customer reactions to service failure. Employing two experiments and a survey, we find that a good reputation suffers less from service failure (the holistic buffering effect) and service quality mediates the process. The two dimensions of reputation, generalized favorability and familiarity, have different effects during service failure. Favorability serves as a buffer whose impact is mediated by service quality, while familiarity has inconsistent effects on customer post-failure evaluations which implies the existence of the potential situational factor. Generalized favorability dominates the process.
Frequency-Oriented Efficient Transformer for All-in-One Weather-Degraded Image Restoration

Adverse weather conditions, such as rain, raindrop, snow and haze, consistently degrade images in an unpredictable manner, thereby rendering existing task-specific and task-aligned methods inadequate in addressing this formidable problem. To this end, we investigate the application of Transformer in image restoration and introduce an efficient frequency-oriented method called AIRFormer, which is designed to restore weather-degraded images comprehensively and holistically. Specifically, we identify that the initial self-attention mechanism exhibits distinctive properties akin to a low-pass filter. Therefore, we construct a frequency-guided Transformer encoder by incorporating wavelet-based prior information to guide the extraction of image features. Additionally, considering the non-specific frequency characteristics of self-attention in the later stages, we develop a frequency-refined Transformer decoder that incorporates learnable task-specific queries across spatial dimensions, channel dimensions, and wavelet domains. To facilitate the training of our proposed method, we curate a comprehensive benchmark dataset named AIR40K that, encompasses a wide range of challenging scenarios. Extensive experimental evaluations demonstrate the superiority of our AIRFormer over both task-aligned and all-in-one methods across 15 publicly available datasets. Notably, AIRFormer achieves the best trade-off between the inference time and quality of reconstructed image, comparing with existing methods such as TransWeather and Restormer. The source code, dataset and pre-trained models will be available at https://github.com/chdwyb/AIRFormer.
Incarcerated in a Pandemic: How COVID-19 Exacerbated the “Pains of Imprisonment”

Although the exact toll of COVID-19 in U.S. prisons and jails is relatively undetermined, estimates show that deaths due to the virus in the nation's correctional facilities are approximately six times higher than deaths in the general population. During the pandemic, jail and prison structures as well as significant overcrowding made it virtually impossible to institute protective measures against infection in correctional settings. Jail and prison administrators suspended in-person visitation, leaving those incarcerated even further isolated, and their friends and family in fear for the health and safety of their loved ones. The present study examines narratives of individuals who spoke about their experiences while incarcerated during the pandemic. The data for the study were gathered from prison reform advocacy organizations that featured individuals’ stories. The narrative findings provide insight into the traumatic experiences that incarcerated people endured, how institutional failures exacerbated their mistrust of the criminal legal system, and their efforts to cope.
Plasma Sphingomyelin Disturbances: Unveiling Its Dual Role as a Crucial Immunopathological Factor and a Severity Prognostic Biomarker in COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers distinct patterns of disease development characterized by significant alterations in host regulatory responses. Severe cases exhibit profound lung inflammation and systemic repercussions. Remarkably, critically ill patients display a “lipid storm”, influencing the inflammatory process and tissue damage. Sphingolipids (SLs) play pivotal roles in various cellular and tissue processes, including inflammation, metabolic disorders, and cancer. In this study, we employed high-resolution mass spectrometry to investigate SL metabolism in plasma samples obtained from control subjects (n = 55), COVID-19 patients (n = 204), and convalescent individuals (n = 77). These data were correlated with inflammatory parameters associated with the clinical severity of COVID-19. Additionally, we utilized RNAseq analysis to examine the gene expression of enzymes involved in the SL pathway. Our analysis revealed the presence of thirty-eight SL species from seven families in the plasma of study participants. The most profound alterations in the SL species profile were observed in patients with severe disease. Notably, a predominant sphingomyelin (SM d18:1) species emerged as a potential biomarker for COVID-19 severity, showing decreased levels in the plasma of convalescent individuals. Elevated SM levels were positively correlated with age, hospitalization duration, clinical score, and neutrophil count, as well as the production of IL-6 and IL-8. Intriguingly, we identified a putative protective effect against disease severity mediated by SM (d18:1/24:0), while ceramide (Cer) species (d18:1/24:1) and (d18:1/24:0)were associated with increased risk. Moreover, we observed the enhanced expression of key enzymes involved in the SL pathway in blood cells from severe COVID-19 patients, suggesting a primary flow towards Cer generation in tandem with SM synthesis. These findings underscore the potential of SM as a prognostic biomarker for COVID-19 and highlight promising pharmacological targets. By targeting sphingolipid pathways, novel therapeutic strategies may emerge to mitigate the severity of COVID-19 and improve patient outcomes.
The Saharan Aerosol Long-Range Transport and Aerosol–Cloud-Interaction Experiment: Overview and Selected Highlights

AbstractNorth Africa is the world’s largest source of dust, a large part of which is transported across the Atlantic to the Caribbean and beyond where it can impact radiation and clouds. Many aspects of this transport and its climate effects remain speculative. The Saharan Aerosol Long-Range Transport and Aerosol–Cloud-Interaction Experiment (SALTRACE; www.pa.op.dlr.de/saltrace) linked ground-based and airborne measurements with remote sensing and modeling techniques to address these issues in a program that took place in 2013/14. Specific objectives were to 1) characterize the chemical, microphysical, and optical properties of dust in the Caribbean, 2) quantify the impact of physical and chemical changes (“aging”) on the radiation budget and cloud microphysical processes, 3) investigate the meteorological context of transatlantic dust transport, and 4) assess the roles of removal processes during transport.SALTRACE was a German-led initiative involving scientists from Europe, Cabo Verde, the Caribbean, a.
A New Look at Formulation of Charge Storage in Capacitors and Application to Classical Capacitor and Fractional Capacitor Theory

In this study, we revisit the concept of classical capacitor theory-and derive possible new explanations of the definition charge stored in a capacitor. We introduce the capacity function with respect to time to describe the charge storage in a classical capacitor and a fractional capacitor. Here we will describe that charge stored at any time in a capacitor as ‘convolution integral’ of defined capacity function of a capacitor and voltage stress across it which comes from causality principle. This approach, however, is different from the conventional method, where we multiply the capacity and voltage functions to obtain charge stored. This new concept is in line with the observation of charge stored as a step function and the relaxation current in form of impulse function for ‘ideal geometrical capacitor’ of constant capacity; when an uncharged capacitor is impressed with a constant voltage stress. Also this new formulation is valid for a power-law decay current that is given by ‘universal dielectric relaxation law’ called as ‘Curie von-Schweidler law’, when an uncharged capacitor is impressed with a constant voltage stress. This universal dielectric relaxation law gives rise to fractional derivative relating voltage stress and relaxation current that is formulation of ‘fractional capacitor’. A ‘fractional capacitor’ we will discuss with this new concept of redefining the charge store definition i.e. via this ‘convolution integral’ approach, and obtain the loss tangent value. We will also show how for a ‘fractional capacitor’ by use of ‘fractional integration’ we can convert the fractional capacity a constant that is in terms of fractional units (Farads per sec to the power of fractional number); to normal units of Farads. From the defined capacity function, we will also derive integrated capacity of capacitor. We will also give a possible physical explanation by taking example of porous and non-porous pitchers of constant volume holding water and thus, explaining the various interesting aspects of classical capacitor and a fractional capacitor that we arrive with this new formulation; and also relates to a capacitor breakdown theory-due to electrostatic forces.
Exploring the Influence of Public Perception of Mass Media Usage and Attitudes towards Mass Media News on Altruistic Behavior

Based on the cultivation theory and the theory of planned behavior, this study determined how people’s perceptions of mass media news and their attitudes towards it impact their altruistic behavior by examining the factors that influence perception. The study collected data from 435 individuals with access to mass media in Taiwan, which were analyzed using SEM. The results revealed that media exposure, credibility, and social influence were critical factors that influenced individuals’ perceptions of mass media news, with media exposure having a more significant influence. Surprisingly, the findings demonstrated that perception was negatively related to attitudes, inconsistent with the proposed hypothesis. Thus, perceptions and attitudes were positively associated with altruistic behavior, and attitude was found to mediate the relationship between perceptions about mass media news and altruistic behavior. The study also provides important implications for theory and practice, especially in mass media entities, in developing and adopting practices that promote trust among the audience by encouraging altruistic behaviors through news coverage of various issues.
Short Term Effect of Lipid-Based Nutritional Supplement on Caloric Intake, Appetite, Glucose, and Insulin Levels in Moderately Malnourished Children

Background: Malnutrition is a major health problem specially effecting children under the age of 5 years. Malnutrition has serious outcomes such as suppressed immune system, delayed and stunted growth, slow wound healing etc. Objective: To look into the impact of a lipid-based nutritional supplement on caloric intake, appetite, glucose and insulin levels of school going children of age 5-10years. Methods: In this single blind randomized controlled trial, 38 children with BMI (Z score between-2 and -3SDS) were randomly allocated to Lipid based nutritional supplements & Placebo groups. They were given supplements (535kcal) /Placebo (92kcal). They were served ad libitum buffet meals (breakfast and lunch). The appetite responses were measured by marking the Likert scale questionnaire at 0, 30, 60, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 minutes. The total caloric intake was calculated for the ad libitum buffet breakfast and lunch. The insulin and glucose levels were measured using COBAS C3 analyzer. Result: On the trial day, there was no significant difference in total caloric intake between lipid based nutritional supplements LNS (766.3272.4) kcal and Placebo (806311.5) kcal. Appetite was measured using a Likert scale, but no significant differences were found between the two groups. There was also no significant difference between glucose in the LNS vs. PLACEBO, i.e. (929.13 vs.97.111.7) mg/dL and insulin (1.6±0.97 vs. 2.09±1.15) µU/mL in both the groups. Conclusion: In mildly underweight children the Lipid based nutritional supplements reduces the caloric intake from the regular habitual diet, which extends to the lunch time. This suppression of caloric intake might be related to the changes in appetite.
Nonoperative Treatment for Traumatic Partial Graft Rupture After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A 2-Year Follow-up Study

Background: There are no studies on the nonoperative treatment of traumatic partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft rupture. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes and failure rates between nonoperative treatment and revision ACL reconstruction for traumatic partial ACL graft rupture. We hypothesized that the outcomes and failure rates would be comparable and that nonoperative treatment of traumatic partial ACL graft rupture can produce satisfactory outcomes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 2114 patients treated for isolated ACL rupture between January 2000 and June 2020. Patients with traumatic partial graft rupture after ACL reconstruction with minimum 2-year follow-up data were included. Patients who met all the following conditions were candidates for nonoperative treatment: (1) Lachman or pivot-shift grade 0 or 1 at 6 months after ACL reconstruction, (2) ACL graft with low to intermediate signal intensity on 1-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and (3) MRI after reinjury showing definite evidence of trauma, some fibers remaining in continuity of the ACL graft, and no anterior tibial subluxation in the sagittal plane. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to treatment method: nonoperative treatment (group A) and revision ACL reconstruction (group B). Clinical scores, laxity test results, radiological outcomes, and graft failures were compared between the groups. Results: In total, 47 patients had traumatic partial graft rupture (group A, n = 10; group B, n = 37). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of clinical scores, laxity tests, radiological outcomes, or graft failure. Conclusion: The clinical and radiological outcomes of nonoperative treatment of traumatic partial graft rupture after ACL reconstruction were comparable with those of revision ACL reconstruction. Nonoperative treatment of traumatic partial ACL graft rupture can produce satisfactory outcomes in selected patients.
Assessing Theory of Mind in bilinguals: A scoping review on tasks and study designs

Previous developmental studies reported bilinguals’ Theory of Mind (ToM; the ability to take on another's perspective) develops differently than monolinguals. We conducted a scoping review to evaluate how researchers assess bilinguals’ ToM and whether they characterize bilinguals’ lived experiences. We analyzed 53 publications examining ToM in bilinguals, with most papers studying children (n = 42; 79%). We identified 96 different tasks used across these 53 papers. The most common are 46 (48%) cases of the false-belief task, a cognitive-focused task using story vignettes. Few tasks target other types of ToM, such as ToM in social settings or taking others’ emotional perspectives. Furthermore, only half of the papers reported language history (n = 28, 53%) and exposure (n = 25, 47%), limiting the inferrability of ToM and language experiences. Expanding how we study ToM in bilinguals will improve our understanding of the intersection of bilingualism and ToM.