Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic Cystectomy of Endometrioma Outcomes on Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels as Predictors of the Ovarian Reserve

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of a laparoscopic cystectomy on ovarian reserve assessed by measuring the levels of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). Materials and Methods: This prospective, analytical study measured the changes of basal FSH and AMH in endometrioma patients undergoing laparoscopic cystectomy in Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital from June to August 2016. An informed written consent was obtained from all patients prior to the study. Their FSH and AMH serum levels were examined one month before and after the surgery. Results: A total of 31 patients were included in the study and divided into two groups based on two age ranges of 20-35 years (n=16) and 36-42 years (n=15). It was found that the FSH serum levels increased whereas the AMH serum levels decreased in both groups after laparoscopic cystectomy (P<0.001). Conclusions: Laparoscopic cystectomy of patients with reduced endometrioma ovarian reserve was characterized by elevation of FSH serum levels and reduction of AMH serum levels.
A note on methods of restoring consistency to the bootstrap

We consider the property of consistency and its relevance for determining the performance of the bootstrap. We analyse various parametric bootstrap approximations to the distributions of the Hodges and Stein estimators, whose behaviour is typical of that of super-efficient estimators employed in wavelet regression, kernel density estimation and nonparametric curve fitting. Our results reveal not only some of the difficulties in selecting good modifications to the intuitive bootstrap, but also that inconsistent bootstrap approximations may perform better than consistent versions even in large samples. Copyright Biometrika Trust 2003, Oxford University Press.
The spatial requirements of the left-hand rule: a novel instrument for assessing the coordination of egocentric and allocentric frames of reference

ABSTRACT This paper explores the spatial dimension of Fleming’s Left Hand Rule (LHR), commonly-used in Physics instruction for determining the direction of force using the left hand’s thumb, forefinger and middle finger. A new instrument was developed to gauge students’ ability to coordinate their fingers in 3D space (egocentric frame of reference) based on representations of tasks on paper/screen (allocentric frame of reference). The LHR scores from a sample of 530 Grade 10 and 11 students revealed a significant correlation to standard spatial reasoning measures, with a reliability of 0.77. About 90% of the students scored less than 10 points out of 22, highlighting the relevance of the spatial skills required for articulating the LHR. Science students performed significantly better than non-Science students. The manipulation of the LHR was strongly influenced by the degree of angular disparity between the body frame and task-defined frame and the kinaesthetic constraints required to rotate the triad of fingers as a perpendicular frame.
Gravity currents in the laboratory, atmosphere, and ocean

A gravity current, or "density current," is the flow of one fluid within another caused by the density difference between the fluids. The difference in specific weight that provides the driving force may be due to dissolved or suspended material or to temperature differences. Gravity currents are primarily horizontal, occurring as either top or bottom boundary currents, or as intrusions at some intermediate level. The fluids are usually miscible and the mixing that results can play an important part in the dynamics of the flow. Since gravity currents are formed in many different natural situations and may also be man-made, knowledge of their properties is of importance in many scientific disciplines. In the atmosphere, thunderstorm outflows and sea-breeze fronts are gravity currents of relatively cold dense air. Atmospheric-suspension gravity currents include avalanches of airborne snow particles, also fiery avalanches and base surges formed from gases and solids issuing from volcanic eruptions. Gravity currents have important applications in aircraft safety, atmo­ spheric pollution, entomology and pest control, and especially in dense-gas technology. Industrial accidents in which gravity currents may be formed include the spread of a dense gas from an accidental release. In the ocean, gravity currents are driven by salinity and temperature inhomogeneities, or as turbidity currents whose density derives from sus­ pended mud or silt. Lines of foam and debris on the ocean surface may indicate the front of a gravity current, frequently brought about by tidal processes. The latter also affect the behavior of gravity currents such as river plumes at the surface and salt wedges on a river bed. The important problems related to oil spillage on the sea have been the subject of a review paper in this series (Hoult 1972).
Validation of a submaximal versus a maximal exercise test in obese individuals

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare oxygen uptake estimated from submaximal Åstrand tests (VO2est) with measured peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) from maximal tests, and to compare estimated maximal HR (HRest) with measured HRpeak in obese subjects. Seventy obese subjects performed a maximal exercise test starting with a 4-min period of constant load. VO2peak and HRpeak were measured. VO2est was based on HR at constant load. HRest was calculated by the formula 220 − age. The mean± SD of VO2est 2.05 ± 0.39 l/min (20 ± 5 ml/kg/min) was lower than VO2peak 2.42 ± 0.57 l/min (17 ± 4 ml/kg/min) (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The mean difference ± 2SD was − 0.4 ± 1.22 l/min (− 3 ± 10 ml/kg/min) with an uneven distribution of the individual variation. The correlation between the methods was low (r = 0.24, r = 0.38 respectively). The mean± SD of HRest 176 ± 10 bpm was higher than the HRpeak 161 ± 17 bpm (p < 0.001). The mean difference ± 2SD was 15 ± 31.3 bpm with an uneven distribution of the individual variation. The correlation between the methods was low (r = 0.41). The main findings of this study were that estimation of VO2 from the Åstrand test and of HR by the formula 220 − age had low validity in obese subjects. Consequently, direct measurements of HRpeak and VO2peak are recommended for accurate prediction of obese individual's exercise capacity.
Two-stage hybrid tuning algorithm for training neural networks in image vision applications

In the present paper a comparative study of two possible combinations of the Backpropagation (BP) and a Genetic Algorithm (GA), for Neural Networks training is performed. The performance of these approaches is compared to each other and to each algorithm incorporated separately in the training procedure. The construction of hybrid optimisation algorithms is originated from the need to manipulate and solve difficult optimisation problems by combining their advantages. The locality and globality behaviour of BP and GA is investigated by the presented hybrid structures, by applying them in five popular benchmark problems. In a second phase, the most efficient of these hybrid algorithms is used, in a typical pattern recognition task. It is concluded, that a more sophisticated structure based on the collaboration of two powerful optimisation algorithms can be used to train a typical neural network more efficiently.
Latitudinal wave coupling of the stratosphere and mesosphere during the major stratospheric warming in 2003/2004

The coupling of the dynamical regimes in the high- and low-latitude stratosphere and mesosphere during the major SSW in the Arctic winter of 2003/2004 has been studied. The UKMO zonal wind data were used to explore the latitudinal coupling in the stratosphere, while the coupling in the mesosphere was investigated by neutral wind measurements from eleven radars situated at high, high-middle and tropical latitudes. It was found that the inverse relationship between the variability of the zonal mean flows at high- and low-latitude stratosphere related to the SSW is produced by global-scale zonally symmetric waves. Their origin and other main features have been investigated in detail. Similar latitudinal dynamical coupling has been found for the mesosphere as well. Indirect evidence for the presence of zonally symmetric waves in the mesosphere has been found.
On the wake-induced vibration of tandem circular cylinders: the vortex interaction excitation mechanism

The mechanism of wake-induced vibrations (WIV) of a pair of cylinders in a tandem arrangement is investigated by experiments. A typical WIV response is characterized by a build-up of amplitude persisting to high reduced velocities; this is different from a typical vortex-induced vibration (VIV) response, which occurs in a limited resonance range. We suggest that WIV of the downstream cylinder is excited by the unsteady vortex–structure interactions between the body and the upstream wake. Coherent vortices interfering with the downstream cylinder induce fluctuations in the fluid force that are not synchronized with the motion. A favourable phase lag between the displacement and the fluid force guarantees that a positive energy transfer from the flow to the structure sustains the oscillations. If the unsteady vortices are removed from the wake of the upstream body then WIV will not be excited. An experiment performed in a steady shear flow turned out to be central to the understanding of the origin of the fluid forces acting on the downstream cylinder.
A Method for Investigating the Intersection of Item Response Functions in Mokken's Nonparametric IRT Model

For a set of k items having nonintersecting item response functions (IRFS), the H coefficient (Loevinger, 1948; Mokken, 1971) applied to a transposed persons by items binary matrix HT has a non-negative value. Based on this result, a method is proposed for using HT to investigate whether a set of IRFS intersect. Results from a monte carlo study support the proposed use of HT. These results support the use of HT as an exten sion to Mokken's nonparametric item response theory approach.
The solar-like oscillations of HD 49933: a Bayesian approach

Context. Asteroseismology has entered a new era with the availability of continuous observations from space-borne missions such as MOST, CoRoT and Kepler. However, the low amplitude and the complexity of the observed spectrum make the exploitation of these data sets difficult. Aims. The use of robust methods to estimate the parameters of stellar oscillation eigenmodes is necessary to fully exploit these new data sets. These parameters include in particular the frequency, the width and the energy of the eigenmodes, all being required for a seismic interpretation of the stellar internal structure or excitation of the eigenmodes. Methods. A Bayesian approach, coupled with a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm, is presented. Such a method allows the use of a priori knowledge to improve the parameter estimation. It also provides complete information on the probability distribution of the fitted parameters. The method is tested on simulated time series and then applied to CoRoT observations of HD 49933. Results. The simulated time series allow the validation of the method for conditions similar to those of the observations in terms of spectral complexity and signal-to-noise ratio. However, a very important problem in the analysis of the HD 49933 mode spectrum is the l degree identification of the modes. The degree identification has little impact on the large frequency separation, rotational splitting, energy and width estimation, whereas individual frequencies and the star inclination angle evaluation are strongly affected. From a statistical point of view, we provide a quantitative ranking of the four models considered. The most probable model includes only modes of degree 0 and 1. Two other models include modes with degree up to 2 and have a non negligible level of significance. The last model includes modes of degree 0 and 1 but has an alternate degree identification and can be definitively rejected. In conclusion, the significance of the resulting probabilities is not sufficient to draw a definite conclusion.
Bayesian Model Uncertainty In Smooth Transition Autoregressions

Abstract. In this paper, we propose a fully Bayesian approach to the special class of nonlinear time‐series models called the logistic smooth transition autoregressive (LSTAR) model. Initially, a Gibbs sampler is proposed for the LSTAR where the lag length, k, is kept fixed. Then, uncertainty about k is taken into account and a novel reversible jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo (RJMCMC) algorithm is proposed. We compared our RJMCMC algorithm with well‐known information criteria, such as the Akaikes̀ information criteria, the Bayesian information criteria (BIC) and the deviance information criteria. Our methodology is extensively studied against simulated and real‐time series.
On identification of multi-factor models with correlated residuals

We specify some conditions for the identification of a multi-factor model with correlated residuals, uncorrelated factors and zero restrictions in the factor loadings. These conditions are derived from the results of Stanghellini (1997) and Vicard (2000) which deal with single-factor models with zero restrictions in the concentration matrix. Like these authors, we make use of the complementary graph of residuals and the conditions build on the role of odd cycles in this graph. However, in contrast to these authors, we consider the case where the conditional dependencies of the residuals are expressed in terms of a covariance matrix rather than its inverse, the concentration matrix. We first derive the corresponding condition for identification of single-factor models with structural zeros in the covariance matrix of the residuals. This is extended to the case where some factor loadings are constrained to be zero. We use these conditions to obtain a sufficient and a necessary condition for identification of multi-factor models. Copyright Biometrika Trust 2004, Oxford University Press.
Instability waves on the air–sea interface

We used a compound matrix method to integrate the Orr–Sommerfeld equation in an investigation of short instability waves (λ < 6 cm) on the coupled shear flow at the air–sea interface under suddenly imposed wind (a gust model). The method is robust and fast, so that the effects of external variables on growth rate could easily be explored. As expected from past theoretical studies, the growth rate proved sensitive to air and water viscosity, and to the curvature of the air velocity profile very close to the interface. Surface tension had less influence, growth rate increasing somewhat with decreasing surface tension. Maximum growth rate and minimum wave speed nearly coincided for some combinations of fluid properties, but not for others. The most important new finding is that, contrary to some past order of magnitude estimates made on theoretical grounds, the eigenfunctions at these short wavelengths are confined to a distance of the order of the viscous wave boundary-layer thickness from the interface. Correspondingly, the perturbation vorticity is high, the streamwise surface velocity perturbation in typical cases being five times the orbital velocity of free waves on an undisturbed water surface. The instability waves should therefore be thought of as fundamentally different flow structures from free waves: given their high vorticity, they are akin to incipient turbulent eddies. They may also be expected to break at a much lower steepness than free waves.
Term Structure Models with Parallel and Proportional Shifts

The paper investigates the possibility of an arbitrage‐free model for the term structure of interest rates where the yield curve only changes through a parallel shift. HJM type forward rate models driven by a multidimensional Wiener process and by a general marked point process are considered. Within this general framework it is shown that there does indeed exist a large variety of nontrivial parallel shift term structure models, and we also describe these in detail. It is also shown that there exists no nontrivial flat term structure model. The same analysis is repeated for a similar case, in which the yield curve only changes through proportional shifts.
Spectral theory of Hamiltonian difference systems with almost constant coefficients

The spectral theory for a general linear Hamiltonian difference system with asymptotically constant coefficients is developed with rather mild smoothness conditions for the coefficients. It is shown that the absolutely continuous spectrum is that of the limiting constant coefficient system. The main techniques are asymptotic summation of the difference equations and estimates of the Titchmarsh–Weyl M-matrix.
Organisational learning and competence development

This paper is concerned with the formulation of a framework for understanding the development and change of the competences of firms. Today, there is near universal agreement that the competitiveness of firms rests on the (core) competences that firms possess. However, little attention has been devoted to the notion of competence development. In the paper, it will be argued that there is, indeed, a need for research and management practice of competence development. It will also be argued that organisational learning theory is a key to understanding competence development. Based on this, a model for competence development is proposed. This is the main contribution of the paper. The paper then concludes with a number of questions yet to be answered by research on competence‐based strategy.
Stationary stochastic control for Itô processes

Consider a real-valued Itô process X(t) = x + ∫0 t μ(s)ds + ∫0 t σ(s)dW(s) + A(t) driven by a Brownian motion {W(t) : t > 0}. The controller chooses the real-valued progressively measurable processes μ, σ and A subject to constraints |μ(t)| ≤ μ0(X(t-)) and |σ(t)| ≥ σ0(X(t-)), where the functions μ0 and σ0 are given. The process A is a bounded variation process and |A|(t) represents its total variation on [0,t]. The objective is to minimize the long-term average cost lim sup T→∞(1/T)E[|A|(T) + ∫0 T h(X(s))ds], where h is a given nonnegative continuous function. An optimal process X * is determined. It turned out that X * is a reflecting diffusion process whose state space is a finite interval [a *, b *]. The optimal drift and diffusion controls are explicitly derived and the optimal bounded variation process A * is determined in terms of local-time processes of X * at the points a * and b *.
Impacts of tax enforcement and independent audit on financial reporting quality through the internal control effectiveness: Evidence from Vietnam enterprises

Abstract Based mainly on agency theory, this research examines the impacts of tax enforcement and independent audit on the internal control effectiveness and financial reporting quality in Vietnam enterprises. The data analysis is applied to PLS-SEM. The survey method was carried out on a sample of 341 enterprises with headquarters mainly in the three largest cities of Vietnam (Hanoi, Hochiminh and Danang cities) from April to June 2021. The result findings showed that all three factors: independent audit, tax enforcement, and internal control effectiveness, have significant impacts on the financial reporting quality; particularly, tax enforcement has a negative effect while the other two factors have a positive impact. This research’s main contribution is the negative relationship between tax enforcement and financial reporting quality. This result shows the contractionary view with other existing research. The difference in this research’s findings compared to other existing research was explained in theoretical and practical perspectives. In addition, the mediating role of internal control in the relationship between tax enforcement, independent audit and financial reporting quality was confirmed through results. The findings of this research are very important in proposing regulations and policies related to implementing the monitoring mechanism from both inside (internal control system) and outside the enterprise (independent audit, tax enforcement) to increase the quality of financial reports.
A linear wake expansion function for the double‐Gaussian analytical wake model

The double‐Gaussian (DG) approach for analytical wake modeling leads to a better understanding of the wake transition mechanism within a full‐wake region behind a non‐yawed horizontal‐axis wind turbine (HAWT). To date, a key parameter of the wake expansion in the DG model still has yet to be defined explicitly instead of tuning, thus limiting its usability for practical applications. The present work aims to overcome this limitation by proposing a simple linear wake expansion function for the DG model constructed from the existing parameters based on the conservation of mass and momentum. Considering the physical and statistical approaches, the proposed function is specifically intended to approximate the wake expansion downstream of a non‐yawed HAWT under turbulence inflow. Seven case studies from wind tunnel measurements and large eddy simulations under different inflow conditions were used to examine the effectiveness of the proposed function. In general, the evaluation results in the present study show the effectiveness of the proposed expansion function for the DG wake model to predict the wake expansion and its recovery behind a non‐yawed HAWT without a prior adjustment or tuning of the wake expansion parameter.
Analysis of a class of continuous-time algorithms for principal component analysis and subspace tracking

We give a new analysis of a class of continuous-time subspace tracking algorithms, related to a number of discrete-time algorithms, such as stochastic gradient algorithms, spherical subspace trackers, and a new discrete-time algorithm based on one of the continuous-time algorithms. Using formulas for tracking the singular value decomposition (SVD) of a time-varying matrix, we show attraction to orthogonality of the matrix representing the subspace estimate, and we analyze the evolution of the canonical angles between the subspace estimate and the subspace to be estimated.
Growth and yield performance of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as influenced by cow dung and NPK fertilizers

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Charfasson Govt. College, Bhola, Bangladesh in rabi season in 2015-2016 to evaluate the effect of cow dung and chemical fertilizers on growth and yield of sunflower cv. BARI-2 (Keroni-2). Highest plant height (208.4 cm), leaf area (410.5 cm2) and leaf area index (12.75) were recorded in T16 (7.5 ton CD ha-1 +N120P90K150kg ha-1). Highest dry matter yield viz. stem (60.67g plant-1) found in treatment T16 (7.5 ton CD ha- 1+N120 P90K150kg ha-1). Maximum dry weight of leaf (25.33g plant-1) and dry weight of root (12.83g plant-1) were found in treatment T15 (7.5 ton CD ha-1 +N80P60K100kg ha-1). Highest dry weight of seed (64.7 g plant-1) and dry wt. of 100 seed (9.8 g) were found in treatment T15 (7.5 ton CD ha-1 +N80P60K100kg ha-1) but the highest number of seed (735.7plant-1) and florescence diameter (52.67 cm) were observed in treatment T13 (5 ton CD ha-1 +N120P90K150kg ha-1). Maximum total dry matter yield per plant was 92.01 g and per hectare was 5.75 ton in T16 (7.5 ton CD ha-1+N120P90K150kg ha-1). Results revealed that the combined application of cow dung and NPK fertilizers produced better growth and yield of sunflower in field condition at the coastal belt of Bangladesh. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 32(1): 83-90, 2023 (January)