Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The term structure of covered interest rate parity violations*

We show theoretically that persistent deviations from covered interest parity (CIP) across multiple horizons imply simultaneous arbitrage opportunities only if uncollateralized interbank lending rates are riskless. In the absence of observable riskless discount rates, we extract them empirically from interest rate swaps using a simple no-arbitrage framework. They deliver novel quantitative benchmarks that reconcile a zero cross-currency basis with non-zero cross-currency basis swap rates. We quantify that the no-arbitrage benchmark accounts for about two thirds of the alleged CIP deviations. The residual pricing errors are associated with intermediary constraints. JEL Classification Codes: C1, E43, E44, G12, H60.
EVaR Optimization for Risk-Sensitive Reinforcement Learning

In the existing work on risk-sensitive reinforcement learning (RL) problems, in order to take uncertainty into consideration, risk measure such as conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) has been widely used to design robust RL algorithms. However, the uncertainty set in the dual representation of CVaR is deﬁned by distributions whose Radon-Nikodym derivative is constrained to a certain range. This is a less common way to deﬁne distribution neighborhood in machine learning applications and hence its interpretation is less natural. This paper applies a recently developed risk measure named entropic value-at-risk (EVaR) to risk-sensitive RL problems. One appealing feature of EVaR is that the uncertainty set in its dual representation is deﬁned by distributions whose Kullback-Leibler (KL) distance to the nominal distribution is less or equal to a certain level. Hence EVaR has a very natural interpretation for RL applications. In this paper, we address the EVaR optimization problem based on Markov decision process (MDP) by proposing a value iteration algorithm as well as its approximate version equipped with linear interpolation. Furthermore, for the case where the nominal transition kernel of the underlying MDP is unknown, we present a sample-based counterpart for the value iteration algorithm. Numerical examples are also provided to illustrate these proposed algorithms.
EB_A_313090 17..33

Purpose: Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is used as a brain stimulation mechanism to enhance learning, ameliorate some psychiatric disorders, and modify behavior. This study assessed the effects of near threshold tACS-like currents on Off-center and On-Off retinal ganglion cell responsiveness in the rabbit retina eyecup preparation as a model for central nervous system effects. Materials and Methods: We made extracellular recordings in the isolated rabbit eyecup preparation using single electrodes and microelectrode arrays to measure light-evoked spike responses in different classes of Off-center and On-Off retinal ganglion cells before, during, and after brief applications of alternating currents of 1–2 microamperes, at frequencies of 10, 20, 30, and 40 Hz. Results: tACS application sculpted the light-evoked response profiles without directly driving spiking activity of the 20 Off-center and On-Off ganglion cells we recorded from. During tACS application, Off responses were significantly enhanced for 6 cells and significantly suppressed for 14 cells, but after tACS application, Off responses were significantly enhanced for 7 cells and suppressed for 12 cells. The Off responses of the remaining two cells returned to baseline. On responses were less affected during and after tACS. Conclusion: tACS sculpts Off-center and On-Off retinal ganglion cell responsiveness. The dissimilarity of effects in different cells within the same class and the differential effects on the On and Off components of the light response within the same cell are consistent with the hypothesis that tACS acts at threshold on amacrine cells in the inner plexiform layer.
A model of truck speed profiles on short upward slopes

Truck speed reduction on upward slopes increases the crash risk. Existing speed–distance models estimate speed reduction on upward slopes by assuming that the resistive forces equal the tractive forces. In this case, the truck speed is a minimum and is called the crawl speed. This paper describes the calibration of a speed–distance model on short upward slopes using data obtained with a GPS device. The calibration was performed for trucks with a weight-to-power ratio of 95–160 kg/kW and for operating speeds of 70–93 km/h at the beginning of the upward slope. The results show that on short upward slopes, the minimum speed was 1·15 times higher than the theoretical crawl speed. The model was also used to obtain the required length for a speed reduction of 15–40 km/h, which is useful for establishing the need to provide climbing lanes on short upward slopes.
An Experimental Investigation and a Multiscale Electro-thermo-mechanical Model of a Flat Pin High Power Electrical Connector

ii Acknowledgements . v List of Tables . viii List of Figures . ix List of Abbreviations . xv Chapter 1: Background . 1 1.1 Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) . 1 1.2 Motivation . 3 1.3 Literature Review. 4 Chapter 2: Multi-scale Rough Surface Contact Model . 16 2.
Fixed Point Results on Partial Modular Metric Space

In the present paper, we refine the notion of the partial modular metric defined by Hosseinzadeh and Parvaneh to eliminate the occurrence of discrepancies in the non-zero self-distance and triangular inequality. In support of this, we discuss non-trivial examples. Finally, we prove a common fixed-point theorem for four self-mappings in partial modular metric space and an application to our result; the existence of a solution for a system of Volterra integral equations is discussed.
Examination and Characterization of Physical and Mechanical Properties of the ITER Central Solenoid Module Coils

The ITER Central Solenoid (CS) consists of a stack of six independent coil packs called modules. It features a total height of 18 m and a diameter of over 4 m. The modules are in an advanced stage of fabrication and testing by the US ITER Project Office (USIPO) and its subcontractor General Atomics (GA). A qualification module mockup at one to one scale but of reduced height was wound and Vacuum Pressure Impregnated (VPI) by GA to validate final manufacturing, using tooling and processes fully representative of a series module. The module was submitted to a thermal cycle down to the temperature of 4.5 K at which the coils will be cooled by supercritical helium. During plasma operation, the CS modules are subjected to a complex combination of static and dynamic forces. The understanding of the mechanical behaviour of the CS module coils is of paramount importance to analyse and predict the overall response of the CS stack. To this purpose, an extensive programme of investigation of the module mockup has been defined and applied. This allowed assessing, through examination and testing of a large number of VPI conductor array samples extracted from the mockup, the soundness of the coil through advanced non-destructive examination techniques including X-ray microtomography, dimensional metrology measurements and micro-optical observations. Moreover, additional testing of physical and mechanical properties carried out at room and cryogenic temperature allowed the behaviour of the conductor stacks to be assessed. The paper summarises the results of these investigations and their interpretation through mechanical analyses based on the individual properties of the coil constituents.
Characteristic Mode Analysis Based on Rayleigh Quotient Iteration

For radiation and scattering problems, characteristic mode analysis (CMA) can provide intuitively physical insight. Generally, eigenpairs (eigenvalue/eigenvectors) for CMA are computed discretely at each frequency and then assigned to corresponding modes within the investigated frequency range using tracking algorithms. These two-stage mode processing methods have low efficiency and can run into problems, including mode discontinuity and inappropriate crossing avoidance handling. Intrinsically, the Rayleigh quotient iteration (RQI)-based algorithm proposed in this article can simultaneously achieve CMA’s mode tracking and eigenpair calculation. Compared to traditional techniques, the tracking efficiency is enhanced with third-order convergence since the number of examined modes calculated by RQI is far fewer than the number of eigenpairs solved by the impedance matrix. In addition, together with the von Neumann–Wigner theorem, the enhanced RQI can detect mode overlap and undesired switching caused by crossing avoidance and correct them on the spot without increasing the computational cost.
Composition and electronic structure of Mn3O4 and Co3O4 cathodes in zinc/air batteries: a DFT study

The surface structures of promising cathode materials for zinc-air batteries, Mn3O4 and Co3O4, have been systematically studied under operating conditions by density functional theory calculations. The environment has been taken into account using grand-canonical schemes both for gas-phase and electrochemical conditions. By analysing the structures appearing in the calculated phase diagrams and Pourbaix diagrams in detail, we derive the factors underlying their stability in the gas phase and under electrochemical conditions. Changes in charge, oxidation states and spin states of the metal cations on the surface are discussed and their feasibility as active centers for the oxygen evolution and reduction reaction is thoroughly analyzed.
Need for Trauma Intervention and Improving Under-Triaging in Geriatric Trauma Patients: Under-Triaged or Misclassified

Background: Combining the Need for Trauma Intervention (NFTI) calculation with the Cribari Matrix Method (CMM) more accurately determines appropriate triage, particularly of geriatric trauma patients. These patients (>/= age 65 years) have comorbidities, increased frailty, and decreased overall functional capacity. The CMM alone does not address (ISS) the percent of following the of Results: Application of NFTI criteria to patients classified as under-triaged by CMM + ISS the study time period under-triage from 7.6% activations and 2.5% 3,123 utility of NFTI-adjusted triage determination in under-triaged geriatric trauma patients. Further, these results imply the benefit of applying NFTI earlier in the continuum of care, perhaps even requiring the initiation of formal process
Improving Well-Being, Academic Self-Concept and Academic Achievement of Indian Children with Specific Learning Disability by utilising Positive Psychology Intervention

Purpose: It is widely recognised that children’s well-being involves not only the absence of psychological distress, but also the presence of positive indicators of optimal functioning to be mentally healthy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a Positive Psychology Intervention (PPI) implemented in schoolgoing children with specific learning disability (SLD) would lead to increased subjective well-being (SWB), improved academic self-concept (ASC) and academic achievement (AA). Method: The study followed a one group pre-test post-test design. Purposive sampling was used to select 75 children with SLD (61 boys and 14 girls) from 3 schools in Telangana State, India. Children who were between 8 – 12 years of age (in classes 3 – 7) were selected on the basis of the inclusion criteria. The main outcome measures used were Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children (PANAS-C) and Academic Self-Concept Scale. Academic achievement was recorded through total marks scored by the student in all the core subjects (language/s, math, science, social studies) of the semester examination. The Positive Psychology Intervention consisted of activities integrating gratitude, mindfulness and attributional style. Each class group received weekly sessions of group intervention for 12 weeks. Results were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 20.0). Wilcoxon signed-rank test was calculated to find the difference between pre-, post-and follow-up scores. Results: The findings showed significant increase in the levels of subjective well-being, academic self-concept and academic achievement of children with SLD after PPI. The follow-up after 6 months found the effect was maintained
Effects of Cybercrime on State Security:Types, Impact and Mitigations with the Fiber Optic Deployment In Kenya

The identification of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as an essential tool for sustainable development has proved to be worth every investment. As a result of this, Internet usage in Kenya has grown rapidly resulting in the explosion of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Internet access points. The general objective of this study was to model the impact of Cybercrime on security in Kenya, Nairobi as the case study. This was a census study on modeling the effects of Cybercrime on the security in Nairobi. Thirty one (31) out of the 3ifty one (51) responded giving a response rate of 60.78% percent. It was found that the Cybercrime is prevalent in Nairobi although largely unreported. To a great extent, it was discovered that Internet Service Providers had established basic measures in order to curb the growing cyberspace crimes; as spamming activities remain prevalent in Kenya. Also, to a great extent the Criminal Investigation department (CID) and Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) have recognized that cybercrime is a growing threat to security in Nairobi and have collaborated with ISP’s to implement measures.
Statistical Study of Degradation of Flexible Poly-Si TFTs Under Dynamic Bending Stress

Degradation of flexible low-temperature poly-Si thin film transistors (TFTs) under dynamic bending cycles is investigated with statistical method. <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$I_{\mathrm{ ON}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> degradation data of different bending cycles and bending conditions are compared to five different statistical distribution models, and it is determined that the Gamma distribution best fits degradation data. Based on the model, the reliability of TFTs under a given stress condition can be evaluated under two typical application scenarios: (1) reliability prediction for large bending cycles; (2) reliability evaluation based on stress test with limited sample size.
Locust control handbook

It is of paramount importance to improve application techniques when controlling locust outbreaks in developing countries. Most available documents and publications on locust control deal mainly with insecticides, rather than application techniques and the required control equipment. The present guide book is designed to make up for this oversight. Basic principles for conducting spraying operations, descriptions of spraying equipment - especially for ultra low volume spraying - and specific locust control techniques are described in detail. The document explains how to get the most from treatments while minimizing the adverse effects to the man and environment. This book is aimed at decision-makers and all those involved in locust control who wish to improve their knowledge of application techniques. Contents: Introduction. 1 - Spraying principles: Target and active ingredient; Droplet dispersai and deposit; Modes of spraying; Droplet transport; Assessment of spraying. 2 - Spraying equipment: Portable equipment; Vehicle-mounted sprayers; Aerial equipment. 3 - Acridid control treatments: Intervention tactics; Practice of treatments; Inspection and optimization of control operations. Conclusion. References
RECREATION ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE THE GREATEST NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE ATTRIBUTES IN NATIONAL PARKS OF CENTRAL KENYA

Purpose: Recreation sites and parks are exposed to degradation unless stringent conservation measures are undertaken. Recreational activities undertaken by visitors such as; camping, hiking and climbing, game driving, bird watching, bicycling, mountain biking, game viewing, and picnicking among others put huge pressure on the parks resources. The aim of the study is to determine the recreation activities that have the greatest negative environmental impact on environmental resource attributes in national parks of central Kenya. Methodology: The descriptive survey research design was used. The study was conducted in the two designated national parks in Central Kenya region: Mt. Kenya and Aberdares. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure that the KWS and KFS officers in managerial, tour guide, maintenance, and security levels were represented. Results: Two hundred and sixty three 263(79.9%) responded to the questionnaires by completely filling and returning them. Descriptive statistics that included frequencies and percentages were used to organize and summarize the data. Tables and bar charts were drawn to present the collected data. Independent Sample T-test was conducted to compare the mean of the visitors and staff on the perceived effect of recreation activities on environmental resource attributes. It is only on soil where the two groups were found to be significantly different ( (visitors) =2.14, staff) =1.50, t=6.06, df =233, p<0.001). Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study therefore concluded that parks environmental resource attributes are negatively affected by recreation activities in the national parks in the Central Kenya region. Through monitoring of conditions, managers will be able to more clearly identify when specific impacts have become so pronounced as to demand management attention.
Viscosity to entropy density ratio ($\eta$/s) in nanoliquid

ABSTRACT We present the coefficient of viscosity ( ), entropy (S) and viscosity to entropy density (s) ratio ( ) for aqueous silver nanoparticle (AgNP) solution at temperatures T = 273–300 K performing experiments and examining the same with discrete dipole approximation (DDA) simulation. The experimental UV-Visible dipole extinction spectra of the nanoliquid, matched with simulations, explore cluster morphologies. The latter is used for the calculation of (cluster volume fraction ~ 4–10%; NP, cluster radii 8–15 nm and 35–55 nm, respectively). In addition, dimer (AgNP-AgNP) formation free energy and S are explored at those T’s. We determine ratio exploiting nanoparticle behaviour. The value of is found lower than that of water and similar to strongly correlated liquid He4, owing to higher S for NP agglomeration. Our results of , S and are also corroborated from hard sphere model calculation. This, to the best of our knowledge, is the first attempt to determine in NP.
The H. pylori CagA Oncoprotein Induces DNA Double Strand Breaks through Fanconi Anemia Pathway Downregulation and Replication Fork Collapse

The proteins from the Fanconi Anemia (FA) pathway of DNA repair maintain DNA replication fork integrity by preventing the unscheduled degradation of nascent DNA at regions of stalled replication forks. Here, we ask if the bacterial pathogen H. pylori exploits the fork stabilisation machinery to generate double stand breaks (DSBs) and genomic instability. Specifically, we study if the H. pylori virulence factor CagA generates host genomic DSBs through replication fork destabilisation and collapse. An inducible gastric cancer model was used to examine global CagA-dependent transcriptomic and proteomic alterations, using RNA sequencing and SILAC-based mass spectrometry, respectively. The transcriptional alterations were confirmed in gastric cancer cell lines infected with H. pylori. Functional analysis was performed using chromatin fractionation, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and single molecule DNA replication/repair fiber assays. We found a core set of 31 DNA repair factors including the FA genes FANCI, FANCD2, BRCA1, and BRCA2 that were downregulated following CagA expression. H. pylori infection of gastric cancer cell lines showed downregulation of the aforementioned FA genes in a CagA-dependent manner. Consistent with FA pathway downregulation, chromatin purification studies revealed impaired levels of Rad51 but higher recruitment of the nuclease MRE11 on the chromatin of CagA-expressing cells, suggesting impaired fork protection. In line with the above data, fibre assays revealed higher fork degradation, lower fork speed, daughter strands gap accumulation, and impaired re-start of replication forks in the presence of CagA, indicating compromised genome stability. By downregulating the expression of key DNA repair genes such as FANCI, FANCD2, BRCA1, and BRCA2, H. pylori CagA compromises host replication fork stability and induces DNA DSBs through fork collapse. These data unveil an intriguing example of a bacterial virulence factor that induces genomic instability by interfering with the host replication fork stabilisation machinery.
High Isolation Microstrip Mimo Antennas for Wlan Systems

This paper introduces a novel design of aperture coupled microstrip antenna for MIMO array applications. The proposed antenna uses 2x4 patches excited from two ports via rectangular slots. HFSS (High Frequency Structure Simulator) and CST (Computer Simulation Technology)softwares are used to simulate the antennas performance. The results are given in term of S-parameters, radiation patterns and gain. In addition a parametric study is done to evaluate the effect of certain antenna parameters on the antenna performances. Form the simulated result, it is concluded that the proposed concept provides a good isolation between the two antenna ports (with low mutual coupling, S12/21 < -28 dB) and high gain. In addition, the obtained results are in good agreement.
“When you talk it out … you will feel like the burden has somehow gone down, you will feel light”: Social Support Received by Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Western Kenya

Gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience many sexual orientation-related stressors that negatively influence physical and mental health, making it imperative to understand their experiences of resilience-promoting resources such as social support. We utilized qualitative and participatory methodologies to examine sources of social support and types of social support received by GBMSM in Western Kenya through in-depth interviews with 60 GBMSM, including both peer educators and community members. GBMSM received emotional, informational, and instrumental support from six different relationship types: friends and peer groups, family of origin, sexual and romantic partners, healthcare providers, peer educators, and other people including work colleagues and police officers. A key finding from this study is the centrality of sexuality-specific support across all sources and types of support. Implications for clinics and LGBTQ organizations, policy, and future research are discussed.