Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Affecting Weight Reduction after Intragastric Balloon Insertion: A Retrospective Study

Background and Objectives: Intragastric balloon (IGB) is a safe option for obesity management. However, studies determining the factors influencing the procedure’s outcomes are scarce. Therefore, our goal was to determine the factors affecting weight reduction after IGB insertion. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 126 obese patients who underwent IGB treatment using the ORBERA® Intragastric Balloon System. Patients’ records were retrieved; and demographic data, initial body mass index (BMI), complications, compliance with both diet and exercise programs, and percentage of excess weight reduction were recorded. Results: The study included 108 female (85.7%) and 18 male (14.3%) patients. The mean age was 31.7 ± 8.1 years. The percentage of excess weight loss (EWL) was 55.8 ± 35.7%. The mean weight loss was 13.01 ± 7.51 kg. A significant association was found between EWL and age, initial weight, initial body mass index, and the number of pregnancies. No major complications were observed. However, the balloon had to be removed early in two patients (1.59%) due to its rupture and in two other patients (1.59%) due to severe gastritis. Conclusions: IGB therapy is a safe and effective option for obesity management, associated with low rates of complications. The EWL after IGB insertion is significantly higher among older patients, those with a relatively low initial body mass index, those with a longer duration of IGB insertion, and female patients with less parity. Larger prospective studies are needed to support our results.
Mathematical modelling of drying kinetics, economic and environmental analysis of natural convection mix-mode solar and sun drying of pre-treated potato slices

This research aims to investigate the influence of the sun and mix-mode solar drying of blanched potato slices on drying kinetics and moisture loss rate and to conduct environmental and economic analysis of the solar drying of the potato slice. Hence a mix-mode solar dryer was assembled and deployed with traditional sun drying to dry the pre-treated potato slice. Using solar dryer reduced the traditional sun drying time to 6–12 h at a maximum collector efficiency of 34%. The moisture loss rate varied from 0 to 9.11 × 10–5 kg/s. The Allometric power function was the best fitting for the drying curve. The net CO2 mitigation potentials were determined as 12.42 tonnes of CO2 per year with an embodied energy and energy payback time of 353.97 kWh and 0.44 years respectively. The payback period of the dryer is 0.2552 years which is about 2 months and 21 days.
Radar observations of simultaneous traveling ionospheric disturbances and atmospheric gravity waves

Simultaneous observations of atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) and traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) measured by an incoherent scatter radar at high latitudes are shown. The measurements were made using a beam swing experiment of the EISCAT UHF radar. The F region TID is seen as wavefronts in electron density, whereas the E region AGW is seen in the oscillations of the neutral wind. The wave vector of the TID has a downward component indicating that energy propagates upward. The periods of AGWs and TIDs are approximately the same (52–57min), so it is concluded that the observed gravity wave in the E region propagates to the F region causing the TID there. Two interesting properties of the waves are observed. First, the neutral wind oscillations have an amplitude minimum at about 115km. It is suggested that this could be related to the minimum of the vertical refractive index around 120km. Second, in the course of time, the wave vector of the TID turns more in the downward direction, which leads to an increase in the horizontal wave length from 400 to 1450km. A possible explanation is that the background wind increases with altitude and turns the wavefronts more horizontal when distance from a stationary source increases. We suggest that the source is the sunrise terminator, since the horizontal direction of propagation of the TID in the morning hours is from the west, where both the auroral and thunderstorm activity are low.
On the reduction methods for ordinary differential equations

A standard method based on the use of differential invariants of a Lie group, 𝒢, enables us to reduce any ordinary differential equation invariant under the action of 𝒢. We show that this method is applicable to vector fields more general than those associated with Lie symmetries. We characterize all such vector fields and study their relationship with nonlocal symmetries and λ-symmetries (Govinder K S and Leach P G L 1995 J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 28 5349–59, Muriel C and Romero L 2001 IMA J. Appl. Math. 66 111–25).
LEVERAGING DEMANDS AND RESOURCES TO CULTIVATE SUPPORT FOR CHANGE: AN INTEGRATIVE PERSPECTIVE

ABSTRACT Prior research suggests that individuals’ bottom-up initiatives are effective in developing support for change, yet it lacks empirical validation in the context of public organizations. Building on the job demands-resources theory (JD-R), this study examines the process that contributes to translating one’s positive behavioral enactment and support for change, particularly in public organizations. The findings are theoretically and practically significant, providing fresh insights into the behavioral mechanisms involved in the cultivation of support for change in public organizations.
A review of the indigenous coffee resources of Uganda and their potential for coffee sector sustainability and development

Uganda is a major global coffee exporter and home to key indigenous (wild) coffee resources. A comprehensive survey of Uganda’s wild coffee species was undertaken more than 80 years ago (in 1938) and thus a contemporary evaluation is required, which is provided here. We enumerate four indigenous coffee species for Uganda: Coffea canephora, C. eugenioides, C. liberica (var. dewevrei) and C. neoleroyi. Based on ground point data from various sources, survey of natural forests, and literature reviews we summarise taxonomy, geographical distribution, ecology, conservation, and basic climate characteristics, for each species. Using literature review and farm survey we also provide information on the prior and exiting uses of Uganda’s wild coffee resources for coffee production. Three of the indigenous species (excluding C. neoleroyi) represent useful genetic resources for coffee crop development (e.g. via breeding, or selection), including: adaptation to a changing climate, pest and disease resistance, improved agronomic performance, and market differentiation. Indigenous C. canephora has already been pivotal in the establishment and sustainability of the robusta coffee sector in Uganda and worldwide, and has further potential for the development of this crop species. Coffea liberica var. dewevrei (excelsa coffee) is emerging as a commercially viable coffee crop plant in its own right, and may offer substantial potential for lowland coffee farmers, i.e. in robusta coffee growing areas. It may also provide useful stock material for the grafting of robusta and Arabica coffee, and possibly other species. Preliminary conservation assessments indicate that C. liberica var. dewevrei and C. neoleroyi are at risk of extinction at the country-level (Uganda). Adequate protection of Uganda’s humid forests, and thus its coffee natural capital, is identified as a conservation priority for Uganda and the coffee sector in general.
Influence of Bénard convection on solid–liquid interfaces

A laterally confined horizontal liquid layer is heated from below and cooled from above so that the single-component liquid is frozen in the upper part of the layer. When the imposed temperature difference is such that the Rayleigh number across the liquid is supercritical, there is Bénard convection in the liquid layer coupled with the dynamics of the solidification interface. Experimental results are presented for quasi-steady temperature variations at the horizontal boundaries. When the solidified layer is thick compared with the liquid layer a hysteresis loop is found for the heights of the liquid layer in a range of subcritical Rayleigh numbers. The interfacial corrugations exhibit a polygonal structure in this case. At Rayleigh numbers far above the critical value ‘bimodal patterns’ are observed with two distinct lengthscales. Finally a stability chart is given for the various interfacial patterns observed.
Nanostructured Fe networks studied by ferromagnetic resonance

When a material is sputter-deposited on a nanoporous substrate a network-like film is formed on top of the walls that separate the nanochannels. We have carried out an extensive study of the magnetic properties of Fe films deposited on 20 nm pore size nanochannel alumina. Films covering the thickness range 5 nm to 100 nm were characterized using ferromagnetic resonance. From the experimental results it was inferred that thinner films are discontinuous (probably due to the surface roughness) and composed of isolated, partially oriented, anisotropic particles. The resonance field and linewidth have been used to estimate the effective anisotropy and hence an average particle aspect ratio of 1.5, which is very similar to what is actually observed by direct imaging. The effective anisotropy increases for thicker films and tends to saturate for films thicker than 75 nm.
Robust L2 Nonlinear Control of EDFA with Amplified Spontaneous Emission

Robust L2 Nonlinear Control of EDFA with Amplified Spontaneous Emission Nemanja Stefanovic Master of Applied Science Graduate Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Toronto 2005 Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFAs) must be controlled in optical networks such that the output channel powers do not vary significantly from input power variation. Common control schemes for EDFAs currently involve using linear approximation methods around equilibrium points. Heuristic methods are usually employed to switch between the various operating points. Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) is usually ignored in EDFA models. In this thesis, an EDFA model with ASE is derived. A nonlinear L2 control methodology is outlined to exploit the nonlinear nature of the EDFA system. This eliminates the need for heuristics since the system is free to operate over the state space with only one controller. Furthermore, robust control techniques are utilized to allow for parameter and signal variation due to uncertainty.
Aqueous Geochemical Controls on the Sestonic Microbial Community in Lakes Michigan and Superior

Despite being the largest freshwater lake system in the world, relatively little is known about the sestonic microbial community structure in the Laurentian Great Lakes. The goal of this research was to better understand this ecosystem using high-throughput sequencing of microbial communities as a function of water depth at six locations in the westernmost Great Lakes of Superior and Michigan. The water column was characterized by gradients in temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, and other physicochemical parameters with depth. Mean nitrate concentrations were 32 μmol/L, with only slight variation within and between the lakes, and with depth. Mean available phosphorus was 0.07 μmol/L, resulting in relatively large N:P ratios (97:1) indicative of P limitation. Abundances of the phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Thaumarchaeota, and Verrucomicrobia differed significantly among the Lakes. Candidatus Nitrosopumilus was present in greater abundance in Lake Superior compared to Lake Michigan, suggesting the importance of ammonia-oxidating archaea in water column N cycling in Lake Superior. The Shannon diversity index was negatively correlated with pH, temperature, and salinity, and positively correlated with DO, latitude, and N2 saturation. Results of this study suggest that DO, pH, temperature, and salinity were major drivers shaping the community composition in the Great Lakes.
Antimicrobial properties and biotransforming ability of fungal endophytes from Ficus carica L. (Moraceae)

ABSTRACT The endophytic fungal community associated with leaves of Ficus carica L. (Moraceae) from Argentina was investigated. Fifteen fungal isolates were isolated and identified by molecular methods into the genera Alternaria, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Diaporthe, Epicoccum, Myrothecium, Neofusicoccum, Nigrospora, Preussia and Ustilago. Cladosporium cladosporioides and Curvularia lunata were the most frequently isolated species. The fungal metabolic profiles were obtained by automated TLC and NMR and analysed by PC Analysis. Antifungal and antibacterial activity was assessed by bioautographic assays. In addition, the biotransforming ability of the fungal isolates was tested on F. carica extracts. Five isolates (33.3%) exhibited inhibitory activity against at least one of the microorganisms tested. Most of the fungal endophytes were able to metabolise the flavonoid rutin 1, and the coumarin psoralen 3 present in F. carica extracts. Further investigations of the psoralen biotransforming ability performed by the selected endophyte Alternaria alternata F8 showed the accumulation of the 6,7-furan-hydrocoumaric acid derivative 4 as the main biotransformation product. Our results corroborate that F. carica can live symbiotically with rich and diverse endophytic communities adding insights about their ecological interactions.
Extinction behaviour for two–dimensional inward-solidification problems

The problem of the inward solidification of a two–dimensional region of fluid is considered, it being assumed that the liquid is initially at its fusion temperature and that heat flows by conduction only. The resulting one–phase Stefan problem is reformulated using the Baiocchi transform and is examined using matched asymptotic expansions under the assumption that the Stefan number is large. Analysis on the first time–scale reveals that the liquid–solid free boundary becomes elliptic in shape at times just before complete freezing. However, as with the radially symmetric case considered previously, this analysis leads to an unphysical singularity in the final temperature distribution. A second time–scale therefore needs to be considered, and it is shown that the free boundary retains its shape until another non–uniformity is formed. Finally, a third (exponentially short) time–scale, which also describes the generic extinction behaviour for all Stefan numbers, is needed to resolve the non–uniformity. By matching between the last two time–scales we are able to determine a uniformly valid description of the temperature field and the location of the free boundary at times just before extinction. Recipes for computing the time it takes to completely freeze the body and the location at which the final freezing occurs are also derived.
Monte Carlo Studies in Item Response Theory

Monte carlo studies are being used in item response theory (IRT) to provide information about how validly these methods can be applied to realistic datasets (e.g., small numbers of examinees and multidimensional data). This paper describes the conditions under which monte carlo studies are appropriate in IRT-based re search, the kinds of problems these techniques have been applied to, available computer programs for gen erating item responses and estimating item and exam inee parameters, and the importance of conceptualizing these studies as statistical sampling experiments that should be subject to the same principles of experimen tal design and data analysis that pertain to empirical studies. The number of replications that should be used in these studies is also addressed.
Some effects of the memory kernel singularity on wave propagation and inversion in viscoelastic media - II. Inversion

SUMMARY Viscoelastic inversion is developed for a realistic, simple, causal hereditary model with a power-law attenuation. In this class of models the energy travels with a delay behind the wave front because the effective speed of the seismic signal is lower than the infinite-frequency limit of the propagation speed which determines the wave front propagation. In inversion this discrepancy affects the correct positioning of scatterers and interfaces. Our inversion method is an extension of Ribodetti’s imaging method. Using a power-law model, propagation- and attenuation-related parameters are uncoupled for the acquisition geometries used in laboratory and in field seismic experiments. The method is applied to ultrasonic laboratory data where we have complete control of the acquisition parameters and the physical properties of the medium to be recovered are well known. An application to ultrasonic data for a wavefield scattered from a hollow PVC sample and a lava sample immersed in a water tank demonstrates that the proposed inversion method allows reliable parameter estimation in the power-law class of viscoacoustic models.
STUDY OF HUMAN FETAL KIDNEY

Address for Correspondence: Shalika Sharma, Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences, Jammu, India. E-Mail: shivainshallika@gmail.com Access this Article online Quick Response code Web site: *1 Lecturer, Acharya Shri Chander College Of Medical Sciences, Jammu,, India. 2 Professor and Head, Department of anatomy, Government Medical College, Jammu,, India. Background: The knowledge of the basic human morphology and developmental anatomy is very imperative for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The question of study of human renal development arose for prenatal diagnosis of congenital malformations. There are few reports regarding the morphological development of human kidney, So, our study aims at contributing to the knowledge of morphogenesis and histogenesis of human kidney. At various gestations. Materials and method: 30 human fetal kidneys between 10 to 34 weeks of gestation were dissected and processed in paraffin, 7mm thick sections were stained with Haematoxylin-Eosin and Masson’s Trichrome stains. They were divided into 5 groups according to CRL and light microscopy examination done. Results: Morphogenesis of human kidney starts at 5th week of gestation and extends upto last month of last trimester of pregnancy, renal pelvis was very small and undifferentiated at 10 weeks and fully differentiated at 18 weeks. Zone of transition between cortex and medulla appeared at the starting of 14 weeks, presence of lobulation in kidneys was observed as early as 10 weeks, lobules start fusing with each other at 15 weeks of gestation. An arcade system along with well-defined pyramids was observed at 16-18 weeks. Conclusion: The present work made an attempt to do detailed light microscopy of human kidney at various stages of gestation, the data on which is scanty in Indian population.
Magnetic properties, microstructures, and corrosion resistance of high-saturation FeMoN and FeRhN films for recording heads

We have investigated high-saturation FeMoN and FeRhN films, deposited by radio frequency-diode reactive sputtering on alumina-TiC substrates, for inductive head applications. A minimum coercivity of /spl sim/1.2 Oe is obtained in (Fe/sub 97.8/Mo/sub 2.2/)N films at a N/sub 2//Ar flow ratio of /spl sim/6.2%. A minimum coercivity of /spl sim/1.6 Oe is obtained in (Fe/sub 96.9/Rh/sub 3.1/)N films at a N/sub 2//Ar flow ratio of /spl sim/4.6%. The films mainly consist of /spl alpha/-Fe phase and /spl gamma/'-Fe/sub 4/N phase; The magnetic properties of these films are stable under easy axis field annealing up to 350/spl deg/C. Addition of Rh or Mo to FeN has resulted in a significant improvement in corrosion resistance over that of FeN. The localized corrosion resistance of FeRhN and FeMoN can be comparable to that of Permalloy. In contrast, their intrinsic corrosion resistance is inferior to that of Permalloy, but it can be adjusted and controlled by pH level.
Variable group-delay dispersion equalizer using lattice-form programmable optical filter on planar lightwave circuit

The authors report, in detail, an integrated-optic variable group-delay dispersion equalizer based on a lattice-form programmable optical filter. The variable dispersion equalizer consists of an alternating cascade of symmetrical and asymmetrical Mach-Zehnder interferometers. An equalizer with nine symmetrical and eight asymmetrical interferometers is fabricated on a planar lightwave circuit and its dispersion varied step by step from -681 to +786 ps/nm in the operational frequency range of 16.3 GHz. The effectiveness of the equalizer is shown by compensating the dispersion of three different fibers with a single equalizer. The performance of the equalizer is also evaluated and examined by numerical investigations.
An experimental and numerical study of turbulent swirling pipe flows

Both experimental and numerical studies have been performed aimed at the description of the decay of swirl in turbulent pipe flows. Emphasis is put on the effect of the initial velocity distribution on the rate of decay. The experiments show that, even far downstream of the swirl generator, the decay of the integral amount of angular momentum depends on the initial velocity distribution. This suggests that the description of the decay in terms of the widely suggested single exponential, function, is not sufficient. The calculations are based on (i) a standard k – e model and (ii) models based on an algebraic transport model for the turbulent stresses. It appears that in a weakly swirling pipe flow, second-order models reduce to simple modifications of the standard k – e model. While the standard k – e model predicts a decay largely insensitive to the initial velocity distribution, the modified versions of the k – e model, the ASM and the RSM, predict a strong sensitivity to the initial velocity distribution. Nevertheless, the standard k – e model seems to predict the rate of decay of the swirl better than the second-order models. It is concluded that the corrections for the streamline curvature introduced by the second-order closures, largely overestimate the effect of rotation on the radial exchange of angular momentum.
State‐of‐the‐art improvements and applications of position based dynamics

The emergence of position‐based simulation approaches has quickly developed a group of new topics in the computer graphics community. These approaches are popular due to their advantages, including computational efficiency, controllability, stability and robustness for different scenarios, whilst they also have some weaknesses. In this survey, we will introduce the concept of the baseline position based dynamics (PBD) method and review the improvements and applications of PBD since 2018, including extensions for different materials and integrations with other techniques.
Actions of Generalized Derivations on Multilinear Polynomials in Prime Rings

Let K be a commutative ring with unity, R a non-commutative prime K-algebra with center Z(R), U the Utumi quotient ring of R, C=Z(U) the extended centroid of R, I a non-zero two-sided ideal of R, H and G non-zero generalized derivations of R. Suppose that f(x1,…,xn) is a non-central multilinear polynomial over K such that H(f(X))f(X)-f(X)G(f(X))=0 for all X=(x1,…,xn)∈ In. Then one of the following holds: (1) There exists a ∈ U such that H(x)=xa and G(x)=ax for all x ∈ R. (2) f(x1,…,xn)2 is central valued on R and there exist a, b ∈ U such that H(x)=ax+xb and G(x)=bx+xa for all x ∈ R. (3) char(R)=2 and R satisfies s4, the standard identity of degree 4.
An Elementary Approach to Weak Convergence for Quantile Processes, with Applications to Censored Survival Data

Abstract Let ξ be a continuously differentiable function with positive derivative, and let ξ n be a sequence of right-continuous increasing processes. We show that if n 1/2(ξ n − ξ) W, where W is continuous, then n 1/2(ξ−1 n − ξ−1) − W(ξ−1)/ξ′(ξ−1). This result is applied to classical processes such as the empirical distribution function, the Kaplan-Meier estimator, and some other situations. We also prove an analogous result for the bootstrapped version of n 1/2(ξ n − ξ) and show how this allows one to obtain confidence bands for the quantile function ξ−1, based on the bootstrap. Several examples are given.