Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transient Energy of an Individual Machine PART II: Potential Energy Surface

In this second paper, the individual-machine potential energy surface is established. The constant-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\theta _{i}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> angle surface of the machine is found in the angle space. Because the individual-machine potential energy is strictly zero in this angle surface, the constant-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\theta _{i}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> angle surface has a significant effect on the shape of the individual-machine potential energy surface. That is, the individual-machine potential energy surface is separated by a flat land, and mountains and valleys are located on either side of this flat land. In addition, a zero-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$f_{i}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> angle surface also exists in the individual-machine potential energy surface. The individual-machine potential energy reaches a minimum or maximum at the surface. Using a scissor angle surface, the individual machine potential energy boundary that reflects the maximum individual-machine potential energy is obtained through the cut of the zero-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$f_{i}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> angle surface. The machine becomes unstable after the system trajectory goes through the individual machine potential energy boundary. In the end, key concepts and distinctive phenomena in the individual-machine studies are fully explained using the concept of individual-machine potential energy surface.
A State-Dependent IVA Model for Muscle Artifacts Removal From EEG Recordings

Electroencephalography (EEG) is an important noninvasive neural recording technique with a broad application in the field of neurological instrumentation and measurement. However, EEG signals are often contaminated by muscle artifacts, adversely affecting the subsequent analysis. Joint blind source separation (JBSS) models have been successfully applied to remove muscle artifacts from EEG recordings, although most of them were designed for EEG collected in well-controlled conditions. Without considering the dynamics of underlying mixtures in complex environments may hinder the real mobile and long-term healthcare monitoring. To deal with such concern, we assume that the mixing process of sources dynamically changes over time and propose a state-dependent JBSS model by integrating the hidden Markov model with independent vector analysis in a maximum likelihood framework. It is capable of identifying the varying sources of muscle artifact components and underlying EEG signals. The proposed method was evaluated on both simulated and semi-simulated data, and demonstrated superior performance compared with other popular approaches for muscle artifacts removal in dynamic environments. The state-dependent JBSS model provides a novel way to investigate the temporal dynamics of multiple multidimensional biomedical data sets simultaneously.
Atomistic investigation of homogeneous nucleation in undercooled liquid

Abstract Although nucleation, a fundamental physical phenomenon in nature, has long been studied by simulations and experiments, our knowledge of this process is still quite limited. Herein, the atomistic pathways of homogeneous nucleation are studied using the phase-field crystal model. We find that nucleation is of one-step type for low initial densities (solid volume fraction), whereas two-step nucleation (TS) dominates in other cases. For the TS process, the fraction and the lifetime of metastable intermediate phases will increase with increasing density, and these metastable phases can significantly accelerate the nucleation process. By calculating the nucleation barriers, we investigated the origin of the appearance of the metastable phases and the mechanism of two-step nucleation.
Parallel Polished Plastic Optical Fiber-Based SPR Sensor for Simultaneous Measurement of RI and Temperature

In this work, a parallel polished plastic optical fiber (POF)-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is proposed and demonstrated for simultaneous measurement of refractive index (RI) and temperature. The sensor is fabricated by double polishing the POF symmetrically and depositing a layer of gold film on both sides of the polished regions. By coating the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer on one of the polished sides, another resonance peak for the temperature sensing can be observed in the transmission spectrum. When the RI and temperature vary, the two resonance peaks will change, and the RI and temperature could be measured simultaneously by monitoring the wavelength shifts of the two peaks. Experimental results show that the sensor has an RI sensitivity of 1174 nm/RIU in the RI range of 1.335–1.37 and a temperature sensitivity of −0.7 nm/°C in the temperature range of 30 °C–80 °C. In addition, the results show that the crosstalk between the two sensing channels of the proposed sensor is negligible. The parallel polished structure is helpful to develop the multiparameter measurement sensors, which has potential application prospects in the biochemical sensing fields.
In-vitro and in-vivo Immunomodulatory Effect of Polyherbal Suspension on Cyclophosphamide Induced Experimental Animal

Aim: The aim of present investigation was to determine the efficacy of a polyherbal formulation. [Composed of Nelumbo nucifera (NN), Euryale ferox (EF) and Trapa natans (TN)]. Materials and Methods: The seeds of NN and EF and fruits of TN were extracted using hydroethanol (1:1) solvent. The dried extract of each plant was used for phytochemical investigation and DPPH radical scavenging activity to determine antioxidant activity. Polyherbal suspension (PHS) was prepared using dried extracts with other excipients. Acute toxicity study was performed for the PHS before in vivo experiment on animals. Albino Wistar rats were selected for the evaluation of immunomodulatory activity of PHS. Immunosuppression was induced by administration of cyclophosphamide subcutaneously on day 0 in all treated groups and treatment with test drug was continued for 14 days. Results: Results exhibited that extracts showed presence of various secondary metabolites including flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, amino acids, carbohydrates and starch. The prepared PHS was found safe in acute oral toxicity study with no harm to animal’s up to 2000 mg/kg dose. The percentage inhibition of DPPH radial by NN, EF and TN were 86.67%, 85.78% and 89.88%, respectively at the concentration of 200 μg/mL. PHS showed significant immunomodulatory activity by increasing neutrophil adhesion to 47.94% in 400 mg/kg dose with mean neutrophil percentage of 40.05%. Results of hematological parameters revealed that PHS restored all the levels of blood components in 400 mg/kg dose. Conclusion: Thus, PHS may be used as an effective and safe formulation in the treatment of immune deficiency.
Mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio as a predictor of mortality in septic patients

Background: Sepsis is a major cause of mortality among critically ill patients. The complex pathophysiology involves infection with systemic inflammatory response. Early detection of sepsis, helps not only is stratification of risk, but also for monitoring its progression and efficacy of therapeutic interventions. At present there are only few reliable prognostic tools to predict severity and mortality in sepsis. This study evaluates the usefulness of mean platelet value in prognosticating patient admitted with sepsis. Methods: We enrolled 200 patients prospectively, that have been admitted to our Medical ICU for sepsis over 2 years from 2018–2020. Changes in platelet indices, including mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio, were compared between survivors and non-survivors by using student’s t test. The prognostic value of mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio for 28-day mortality was ascertained by multivariate logistic regression. Results: Total 39 (19.5 %) patients expired within 28 days of ICU admission. MPV increased during the first 72 hours of hospital stay for both survivor and non survivors. Mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio was significantly higher in non survivors (P<0.001) as compared to survivors. In multivariate cox regression, mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio was an independent predictor of 28-day mortality, after adjusting for plausible confounders. Conclusions: Mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio is an independent risk factor for poor clinical outcomes. Hence monitoring mean platelet volume can prove as a simple tool to stratify the risk of mortality in septic patients.
THE EFFECT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP KNOWLEDGE AND PERSONALITY PERSONNEL AGAINST BUSINESS READINESS THROUGH ENTREPRENEURIAL INTEREST IN THE PROSPECTIVE PURNAWIRAWAN EAST JAVA POLICE UNIT

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of entrepreneurial knowledge and entrepreneurial personality on entrepreneurial readiness through entrepreneurial interest in prospective retirees. This research uses a quantitative approach with descriptive and explanatory research types. The population of this study is 241 retired East Java Police retirement candidates. Sampling using proptional random sampling techniques and the number of respondents using the Slovin formula with a margin of error of 5%, so there are 150 respondents. Validity testing using Product Moment and reliability testing using AlphaCronbach. The results of the study prove that there is a positive and significant influence of entrepreneurial knowledge and entrepreneurial personality on entrepreneurial readiness through entrepreneurial interest. Retired candidates must have knowledge of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial personality as a way to become entrepreneurs.
THE EFFECT OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE MEDIATED BY JOB SATISFACTION AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

This study aims to examine and analyze the effect between transformational leadership and employees performance on the Civil Servants of Public Housing and Settlement Areas of Central Java Province, both directly and through job satisfaction and employee engagement. This research was use a quantitative research methods and belongs to a type of explanatory research. A sample was all Civil Servants of the Department of Public Housing and Settlement Areas of Central Java Province who actively worked totaling 77 respondents. The sampling technique has been used with saturated or census samples. Data were analyzed using PLS (Partial Least Square) with the SmartPLS 3.0 program. The results were indicated that transformational leadership does not have a direct significant effect on employee performance, but has a direct significant effect on job satisfaction and employee engagement. Job satisfaction and employee engagement have a significant direct effect on employee performance and serve as a perfect mediation about the effect between transformational leadership and employee performance.
Compensation Effects and Organizational Climate on Employees’ Performance by Organizational Commitment

HR's main challenge is how to build a performance culture where employees can provide optimal performance. In this study aims to determine the effect of compensation and organizational climate on organizational commitment and influence effect on employee performance. One of the factors to improve employee performance is high organizational commitment as well. Previous studies have suggested that compensation and organizational climate influence the organizational commitment. Here, we found that organizational commitment becomes one of the main factors that affect employee performance. This research was conducted by distributing questionnaires by collected data. After the data collected, we processed this data using structure equational modelling with compensation and organizational climate as independent variables (X), employee performance as dependent variable (Y), and organizational commitment as intervening variables (Z). The result shows compensation and organizational climate has positive relationship with organizational commitment. Thus, the organizational climate and organizational commitment has positive and significant relationship with employee performance due to compensation has a negative significant relationship with employee performance.
Erasmus University Rotterdam A macro-econometric model for climate-related credit risk

This paper aims to quantify the climate-related financial risk for a portfolio of residential mortgages in the U.S. Climate risks can be divided into physical risk and transition risk. For physical risk, conventional financial risk drivers are supplemented with flood risk indicators in a logit model. In all U.S. states, at least one flood risk indicator has a positive correlation with the odds of default. Transition risk is quantified with scenario analysis. Scenarios are simulated with an Energy-Environment-Economy Macro-Econometric model. Results show that mortgages defaults are particularly susceptible to unemployment. Drops in consumer expenditure and increases in energy prices increase unemployment and subsequently mortgage defaults. This study combines the transition and physical risk models to arrive at a forward-looking Climate Probability of Default for mortgages.
STATUS AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS OF UNDEREMPLOYMENT IN THAILAND

Labor underutilization or underemployment incurs economic losses to a nation as human capital is underutilized. However, existing studies on labor supply mainly focus on unemployment even though unemployment understates the extent to which labor is underutilized as it fails to account for underemployment. As a result, this research investigates underemployment in Thailand and the contributing factors of underemployment using two-step selection-corrected estimation methodology. Specifically, this research examines the relationship between workers’ demographic and job characteristics and time-related underemployment. The results indicated that age and male gender are significantly positively correlated with underemployment, while educational levels are inversely correlated to underemployment. The likelihood of underemployment is higher in low-skilled occupations. Furthermore, geographical region of residency plays a role in the probability of being underemployed.
OPTIMAL HEDGING WITH CONTINUOUS ACTION REINFORCEMENT LEARNING

Oskari Mikkilä: Optimal Hedging with Continuous Action Reinforcement Learning Master of Science Thesis Tampere University Industrial Engineering and Management April 2020 This thesis proposes an application of state-of-the-art continuous action reinforcement learning for hedging European options in a market with discrete time rebalances and transaction costs. The hedging problem is defined as a utility function maximization problem. The utility function is defined as the expected change in the wealth minus a risk aversion parameter times the variance of the wealth. The utility function turns the hedging problem into a trade-off between expected wealth and variance. The proposed method is an application of the Twin Delayed Deep Deterministic Policy Gradients. The method is tested in three different settings. Two of the settings are simulations of the asset and option prices. In the first setting the stock price process is a geometric Brownian process with constant volatility. The second setting uses the stochastic volatility model of Heston. SPX index prices and prices of call options written on SPX index from years 2012 and 2013 are used in the empirical data section. In the empirical setting this thesis proposes Sim-to-Real transfer learning: training the agent on asset price paths simulated by the Heston model and testing on historical data. The proposed method performs better than selected analytical benchmarks in the stochastic volatility setting. In the constant volatility setting the reinforcement learning method has equal performance with the benchmarks. In the empirical testing section the method has equal performance with the benchmarks over the two-year period, performing better in more than 50% of the weeks. In general, this thesis shows that continuous action reinforcement learning can be used to balance the trade-off between cost and risk when hedging a European option.
Organ weight, serum biochemistry and gut microbial counts of Thryonomys swinderianus fed diet supplemented with Vernonia amygdalina leaf meal

The study investigated the effect of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) leaf supplementation on organ weight and gut microbial count of Thryonomys swinderianus. Thirty-six weaner grasscutters of mixed sexes were allotted randomly to six treatments (A, B, C, D, E, and F) in a completely randomized design for a nutritional trial of 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, caecum, kidney, liver, lungs, intestine and the heart were excised to determine their weights and the intestinal/caecal contents and scrapings were obtained to determine the fungi and bacteria population. Data collected were analyzed using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The VA supplementation had significant effect (p<0.05) on relative organs with a range of 0.47 – 0.60%, 0.40 – 0.62%, 1.20 – 2.83%, 0.52 - 0.58%, 5.53 – 12.91%, 714.00 – 960.00g, 494.00 – 781.00g and 479.00 – 747.00g for lungs, heart, liver, kidney, intestine, live weight, eviscerated and carcass weight of the grasscutter respectively, with a smaller relative weight of the kidney from 3g/kg VA supplementation upwards. The serum biochemical parameters were also significantly affected by VA supplementation. There was a decrease in alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase but were within the normal range required for rodents. Total protein and Albumin were significantly improved by the supplement while total bilirubin was variable with a significant decrease prior to 4gVA supplementation. Microbial populations in the intestine and ceacum were reduced to varying extent by the supplement. It could be concluded that VA supplementation reduced intestinal and caecal microbes and increased the live and carcass weights but decreased relative weights of selected organs in the grasscutter.
Anatomical plating versus titanium elastic nailing for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures: a prospective comparative study

Background: Plate fixation has become the standard operative method for fixing displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. Over the years, TENS has also gained lot of attention due to its minimal invasive nature, smaller scar and reduced operative time. The purpose of this study was to compare the functional outcome of middle third displaced clavicle fractures treated either by plate or intra medullary TENS fixation using Constant Murley score and disability of the arm, shoulder and hand score. Methods: A prospective randomised study was conducted from January 2010 to September 2016 at our institute on patients with displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. A total of 56 patients (TENS; n=25, plating; n=31), classified according to orthopaedic trauma association classification underwent midshaft clavicle fixation. They were followed-up for a minimum period of 1 year. Results: Length of the scar in the TENS group was significantly smaller when compared to the incision in the plating group (1.86±1.23 and 11.01±3.29 cms respectively, p<0.001). The Constant shoulder score measured at the end of 1 year was 90.77±9.01 for the TENS group and 92.63±6.04 for the plating group, not significant statistically (p=0.269). The mean DASH score was also not significantly different (p=0.552) between the TENS group and the plating group, at 6.01±11.09 and 6.32±10.33 respectively. Conclusions: In comparison with plate fixation, the nailing procedure is less invasive, requires smaller incisions and has a shorter duration of hospital stay with no statistically significant difference in terms of functional outcome. Hence, TENS technique is recommended for the fixation of displaced mid-shaft non-/minimal comminuted clavicular fractures, especially for young individuals and can be used as an alternative to plate fixation.
Groundnut (Arachis hypogea) Haulm marketing and constraints in selected Northern States, Nigeria

This study examined the dynamics of groundnut haulm marketing in northern Nigeria states of Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina and Kebbi. Using a market survey in each state, data were collected from 101 haulm sellers using chance sampling with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to describe the profile of the sellers, seasonality in quantity traded, price and revenue; marketing margin to determine marketing profits; and Chi-square to highlight the importance of the marketing constraints. The result shows the mean age of sellers was 51 years, 99% were males and 79% were literate. Revenue obtained from sale of haulm exhibited significant variations across locations and from season to season. The average revenue was lowest at N71,983/ha in October- December and highest at N135,382/ha in July- September. The major constraints that significantly affected haulm sellers were lack of adequate capital, lack of storage facility, high cost of transportation, lack of shades, high taxation and uncertainty in the market. With the positive marketing margin from the trade, mass cultivation of the high haulm yield varieties and that relevant government and marketing agencies should tackle the important constraints in their states for improved haulm marketing were recommended. Key words: Groundnut haulm, marketing margin, Season, price, Revenue, constraints, Nigeria
Community Membership and Reciprocity in Lending: Evidence from Informal Markets

We study how wholesalers extend trade credit to retailers in economies where formal market institutions, such as financial reporting systems, auditing, and courts, are nonexistent or function poorly. Using the setting of a large market in the northeastern part of India, we find that community membership plays a strong role in the access to trade credit. Wholesalers are more likely to provide trade credit and offer less restrictive credit terms to within-community retailers, are more lenient when these retailers default, and are less likely to experience defaults from them. We show that this cooperation between same-community wholesalers and retailers is achieved through a reciprocity mechanism, which provides insurance against income shocks.
Feminization of hawksbill turtle hatchlings in the twenty-first century at an important regional nesting aggregation

Projected climate change is forecasted to have significant effects on biological systems worldwide. Marine turtles in particular may be vulnerable, as the sex of their offspring is determined by their incubating temperature, termed temperature-dependent sex determination. This study aimed to estimate historical, and forecast future, primary sex ratios of hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata hatchlings at an important nesting ground in northeastern Qatar. Incubation temperatures from the Arabian/Persian Gulf were measured over 2 nesting seasons. Climate data from same period were regressed with nest temperatures to estimate incubation temperatures and hatchling sex ratios for the site from 1993 to 2100. Future hatchling sex ratios were estimated for 2 climate forecasts, one mid-range (SSP245) and one extreme (SSP585). Historical climate data showed female-biased sex ratios of 73.2 ± 12.1% from 1993 to 2017. Female biases from 2018 to 2100 averaged 85.7% ± 6.7% under the mid-range scenario and 87.9% ± 5.4% under the high-range scenario. In addition, predicted female hatchling production was >90% from 2054 and 2052 for SSP245 and SSP585, respectively. These results show that hawksbill primary sex ratios in Qatar are at risk of significant feminization by the year 2100 and that hawksbill turtle incubation temperatures in an extreme, understudied environment are already comparable to those predicted in tropical rookeries during the latter half of the 21st century. These results can help conservationists predict primary sex ratios for hawksbill turtles in the region in the face of 21st-century climate change.