Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of solids retention time on membrane fouling intensity in two-stage submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors treating palm oil mill effluent

Submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors (SAnMBRs) treating palm oil mill effluent were analysed in terms of membrane fouling dynamics when working at three different sludge retention times (SRTs of 15, 30 and 60 d). The average permeate flux was fixed at 2.4 L·m−2·h−1. During operation, the membrane was regenerated by using two steps: membrane wiping during each experiment as soon as trans-membrane pressure reached 125–130 mbars, and complete membrane cleaning including backwash and chemical cleaning at the end of each experiment when analysing the membrane surface and foulant material. Whatever the SRT, the cake formation was the dominant effect on membrane fouling dynamics. The concentration of suspended solids in the SAnMBRs, depending on the SRT, was then a determining criterion. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that fouled membrane surfaces were covered with a cake layer containing organic and inorganic elements whose concentrations were higher when working at a higher SRT; the higher concentrations of such elements gave to the cake layer a denser and more compact structure. In these experiments, the soluble fractions played a secondary role because of the dominant effect of cake layer structuring.
How well does the Mundell-Fleming model fit Australian data since the collapse of Bretton Woods?

Australian time series for the nominal interest rate, real output, the nominal exchange rate, prices and nominal money since 1973 are characterized by a vector autoregressive process driven by five exogenous disturbances. Those disturbances are identified so that they can be interpreted as the five main sources of fluctuations found in the Mundell - Fleming model of a small open economy under flexible exchange rates, namely: world interest rate, aggregate supply, IS, money supply and money demand shocks. The dynamic responses of the estimated model to the structural shocks are analysed and shown to match most of the predictions of the Mundell - Fleming model.
Outsourcing of housing services in Hong Kong: optimization of transaction value

Purpose – Outsourcing is now a common strategy for delivery of property services. Recent reviews of empirical literature find support for the efficiency and cost savings from outsourcing is at best mixed. In the housing context, organizations are still sceptical to the real cost benefit and are reluctant to enter into multiyear outsourcing contracts to deliver their housing management and facilities services. This study aims to investigate whether outsourcing can bring significant cost savings to housing services, and if so to explore how the transaction process should be structured in order to optimize the transaction value through minimization of production and transaction costs.Design/methodology/approach – Single‐case study methodology, based on a typical major housing corporation in Hong Kong, was used to quantitatively examine the impact of outsourcing on cost savings using independent‐samples t‐test, and competition on fees (production cost) using Pearson correlation analysis. Pearson analysis was .
Ultra-calcic magmas generated from Ca-depleted mantle: an experimental study on the origin of ankaramites

Ultra-calcic ankaramitic magmas or melt inclusions are ubiquitous in arc, ocean-island and mid-ocean ridge settings. They are primitive in character (XMg 4 0 65) and have high CaO contents (414 wt %) and CaO/Al2O3 (41 1). Experiments on an ankaramite from Epi, Vanuatu arc, demonstrate that its liquidus surface has only clinopyroxene at pressures of 15 and 20 kbar, with XCO2 in the volatile component from 0 to 0 86. The parental Epi ankaramite is thus not an unfractionated magma. However, forcing the ankaramite experimentally into saturation with olivine, orthopyroxene and spinel results in more magnesian, ultra-calcic melts with CaO/Al2O3 of 1 21---1 58. The experimental melts are not extremely Ca-rich but high in CaO/Al2O3 and in MgO (up to 18.5 wt %), and would evolve to high-CaO melts through olivine fractionation. Fractionation models show that the Epi parent magma can be derived from such ultra-calcic experimental melts through mainly olivine fractionation. We show that the experimental ultra-calcic melts could form through low-degree melting of somewhat refractory mantle. The latter would have been depleted by previous melt extraction, which increases the CaO/ Al2O3 in the residue as long as some clinopyroxene remains residual. This finding corrects the common assumption that ultra-calcic magmas must come from a Ca-rich pyroxenite-type source. The temperatures necessary for the generation of ultracalcic magmas are 1330 C, and their presence would suggest melting regimes that are at the upper temperature end of previous interpretations made on the basis of picritic magmas.
Comparing meta-analyses for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Evaluation of: Oppe M, Al M, Rutten-van Mölken M. Comparing methods of data synthesis. Re-estimating parameters of an existing probabilistic cost–effectiveness model. Pharmacoeconomics 29(3), 239–250 (2011). In the paper by Oppe et al., a cost–effectiveness analysis of alternative treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), based on data from four different trials, is considered. The goal is to compare the usual (frequentist and Bayesian) fixed-effects (FE) and random-effects (RE) normal model for carrying out meta-analysis. Under RE and FE models, the meta-estimation of some quantities of interest for the disease are also carried out using three out of the four trials, and afterwards data from the fourth are incorporated into the meta-estimation. From these sequential estimators, some conclusions on the FE and RE procedures are drawn. Furthermore, as far as the cost–effectiveness is concerned, the main conclusion of the paper is that the Bayesian RE procedure overrides the Bayesian FE and frequentist methods for cost–effectiveness meta-analysis.
Economic comparison of enzyme immunoassay and virus isolation procedures for surveillance of arboviruses in mosquito populations

Cost-effectiveness analysis of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the surveillance of arboviruses was conducted. The EIA was compared with conventional virus isolation and serologic identification procedures (virus isolation procedures; VIP). Under most circumstances, EIA was more cost-effective than VIP. Costs for processing mosquito pools by VIP increased with the number of viruses included in the surveillance program and with the prevalence rate of each virus. In contrast to VIP, the prevalence rate did not affect costs for processing pools by EIA. In general, EIA was the most cost-effective procedure, followed by cell culture and mouse bioassays. In a 5-year cost-effectiveness analysis of a model surveillance program in which EIA and cell culture bioassays were used, the EIA again proved to be the most cost-effective assay procedure under most circumstances.
Defining and Measuring Financial Literacy. New Evidence from Romanian’ Students of the Master in Finance

Abstract This paper aims at defining and measuring financial literacy. The first objective of defining financial literacy was accomplished through reviewing the literature, finding the definition of these two concepts, “financial” and “literacy”, for a better understanding of meanings of these two concepts. This study surveys 200 students from the Master in Finance, at several Faculties of Economics and Business Administration from Romania (Bucharest, Braşov, Cluj, Craiova, Iași). The results that we obtained show that the participants correctly answered at 74.79% of questions. Our study’s results indicate that male students have a higher level of literacy related to personal finance than female students. Also, the survey shows that 75% of economist students from Romania have a medium to high level of financial literacy, but only 48.8% have a high level of financial literacy
Blood vessels and feature points detection on retinal images

In this paper we present a method for the automatic extraction of blood vessels from retinal images, while capturing points of intersection/overlap and endpoints of the vascular tree. The algorithm performance is evaluated through a comparison with handmade segmented images available on the STARE project database (STructured Analysis of the REtina). The algorithm is performed on the green channel of the RGB triad. The green channel can be used to represent the illumination component. The matched filter is used to enhance vessels w.r. t. the background. The separation between vessels and background is accomplished by a threshold operator based on gaussian probability density function. The length filtering removes pixels and isolated segments from the resulting image. Finally endpoints, intersections and overlapping vessels are extracted.
Grid-connected inverter with inner output impedance and governor-free characteristics

This paper proposes for a PWM ac/dc inverter a new control algorithm that provides the inverter with both inner output impedance and governor-free characteristics. The proposed algorithm regulates the inverter as a voltage source all the time in not only standalone but grid-connected operations. The Park's equation of a synchronous machine is realized in a PWM inverter. The inner output impedance and the governor-free characteristics based on the algorithm are analyzed mathematically. The characteristic equations to design the inverter are derived through the analysis. Experimental results show that the measured values and the calculated values get in good agreement. The output voltage and current performance of the proposed inverter is characterized similarly to a synchronous machine without any compulsory control.
Assisted living and use of health services among medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND Considerable attention has been given to the appropriateness of mental and medical health care provided to residents of certain assisted living facilities specialized for the severely mentally ill. However, there exists little objective evidence regarding the level of services provided by these facilities in general. AIMS OF THE STUDY To compare the use of mental and medical health services among persons with schizophrenia who were residing in assisted living facilities compared to those received by patients living independently and those who were homeless. METHODS Medicaid claims were combined with person level data on living situation and psychological and social functioning for 1998-2000. Regression models were used to analyze whether living in a board-and-care facility was related to use of outpatient mental health services including case management, therapy, crisis stabilization, medication supervision, day treatment, and drug treatment, the probability of acute psychiatric hospitalization, the probability of hospitalization for physical health, and costs. RESULTS Residents of board-and-care facilities had greater use of outpatient mental health services and lower rates of psychiatric and medical hospitalization. Pharmacy costs and total health care costs were highest in assisted living. DISCUSSION Our data was observational, and selection processes related to illness severity likely affect living arrangement. Our analysis suggests that assisted living was related to greater use of outpatient mental health services and lower rates of hospitalization. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH POLICIES Assisted living facilities may provide a suitable environment though which to provide outpatient mental health services. Policy makers interested in reducing homelessness through interventions might consider subsidizing these facilities. IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH Research studies should be designed to evaluate characteristics of assisted living facilities that lead to improved function and outcomes among residents.
The Effects of Oncologist Implicit Racial Bias in Racially Discordant Oncology Interactions.

PURPOSE Health providers' implicit racial bias negatively affects communication and patient reactions to many medical interactions. However, its effects on racially discordant oncology interactions are largely unknown. Thus, we examined whether oncologist implicit racial bias has similar effects in oncology interactions. We further investigated whether oncologist implicit bias negatively affects patients' perceptions of recommended treatments (i.e., degree of confidence, expected difficulty). We predicted oncologist implicit bias would negatively affect communication, patient reactions to interactions, and, indirectly, patient perceptions of recommended treatments. METHODS Participants were 18 non-black medical oncologists and 112 black patients. Oncologists completed an implicit racial bias measure several weeks before video-recorded treatment discussions with new patients. Observers rated oncologist communication and recorded interaction length of time and amount of time oncologists and patients spoke. Following interactions, patients answered questions about oncologists' patient-centeredness and difficulty remembering contents of the interaction, distress, trust, and treatment perceptions. RESULTS As predicted, oncologists higher in implicit racial bias had shorter interactions, and patients and observers rated these oncologists' communication as less patient-centered and supportive. Higher implicit bias also was associated with more patient difficulty remembering contents of the interaction. In addition, oncologist implicit bias indirectly predicted less patient confidence in recommended treatments, and greater perceived difficulty completing them, through its impact on oncologists' communication (as rated by both patients and observers). CONCLUSION Oncologist implicit racial bias is negatively associated with oncologist communication, patients' reactions to racially discordant oncology interactions, and patient perceptions of recommended treatments. These perceptions could subsequently directly affect patient-treatment decisions. Thus, implicit racial bias is a likely source of racial treatment disparities and must be addressed in oncology training and practice.
A CONDITIONALLY HETEROSKEDASTIC TIME SERIES MODEL FOR SPECULATIVE PRICES AND RATES OF RETURN

The distribution of speculative price changes and rates of return data tend to be uncorrelated over time but characterized by volatile and tranquil periods. A simple time series model designed to capture this dependence is presented. The model is an extension of the Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedastic (ARCH) and Generalized ARCH (GARCH) models obtained by allowing for conditionally t-distributed errors. The model can be derived as a simple subordinate stochastic process by including an additive unobservable rror term in the conditional variance equation. The descriptive validity of the model is illustrated for a set of foreign exchange rates and stock price indices.
Light and electron microscopic study of a Rickettsiella species from the cockroach Blatta orientalis.

An infection with Rickettsiella sp. was responsible for an illness causing heavy body swelling in the Oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis. Reproduction of the colony stagnated. Vacuoles with parasitic bacteria occurred mainly in the fat body, but also in nearly all other organs, such as gut epithelium, Malpighian tubules, blood cells, and ovarioles. The parasites clearly differed from the symbiotic bacteria of the genus Blattabacterium, which regularly occur in the mycetocytes of B. orientalis. The vacuoles contained four stages of Rickettsiella: (1) infectious, electron-dense, rod-like elementary bodies (mean size 300 x 145 nm); (2) an electron-dense, flat intermedium stage, called flat body (mean size 515 x 255 x 125 nm); (3) an electron-light, spherical intermedium stage, called condensing sphere (mean size 340 nm); portions of cytoplasm condensed crescent-like at the border or in the center of the cell; and (4) large, spherical, electron-light initial bodies that multiplied by binary fission (mean size 600 nm). The initial bodies had a three-layered cell boundary, but all other stages had a five-layered cell boundary. Elementary and flat bodies contained an electron-light, oblique lamella and an oval structure with an array of ribosome-like granules, respectively. In contrast to other species of Rickettsiella, crystal formation or multiple division did not occur. The described species of Rickettsiella is different from "R. blattae," which belongs to the R. popilliae group. Instead, it shares more similarities with the R. chironomi group. To avoid confusion, it was provisionally named "R. crassificans. "
High reliability converter for LED torch

This paper proposed a novel eight-output LED driver which contains a two-output isolated dc-dc converter and two passive current balance circuits connected with outputs of the converter respectively. By controlling switches, the value of output voltage and the number of output channel are determined; therefore the illumination is adjustable, which makes the topology suitable for applications such as flashlight, camping light and emergency light. Furthermore, adjusting any one LED current can control currents through the other 3 channels due to passive current balancing. High efficiency is obtained because of ZVS turned on of switches. Low cost and small size are achieved because comparing with conventional 2-output isolated DC-DC converter, this topology use one less active switch and only two magnetic components. Equations of different operation condition and simulation are employed to analysis the characteristics of this proposed LED driver.
Immunotherapy with Dendritic Cells and Newcastle Disease Virus in Glioblastoma Multiforme

Malignant gliomas are the most prevalent type of primary brain tumors in adults. The most aggressive form, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM, WHO grade IV glioma), is characterized as incurable with average survivals less than 18 months (Buckner, 2003; Curran et al., 1993; De Angelis, 2001). Standard therapy consists of surgical resection to the extent that is safely feasible, followed by radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. A meta-analysis based on 12 randomized trials has supported the use of adjuvant chemotherapy treatment as compared to radiotherapy alone. A five percent increase in survival at two years, from 15 percent to 20 percent was reported (Stewart, 2002). In this context, an oral alkylating agent, temozolomide, has demonstrated antitumor activity as a single agent in the treatment of glioblastoma patients (Newlands et al., 1997; Stupp et al., 2001, 2005; Yung et al., 2000). At a median follow-up of 28 months, temozolomide treatment prolonged the median survival from 12.1 months with radiotherapy alone to 14.6 months when administered with concomitant radiotherapy (Stupp et al., 2005). Adjuvant administration of carmustine, a nitrosourea drug, has not resulted in beneficial prolongation of survival, although some long-term survivors in the chemotherapy groups have been documented in some of the nonrandomized phase III trials (Chang et al., 1983; Green et al., 1983). Despite these advances in combined radiochemotherapy treatment strategies along with surgical resection, the prognosis of patients with malignant glioma is poor and ≥ 80% of the patients survive less than 2 years. Salvage treatments upon recurrence are palliative at best and rarely provide a significant survival benefit. The minor clinical benefit of radio-chemotherapy is supposed to be mainly based on tumour stem cells, which in analogy to normal stem cells are resistant to radioand chemotherapy (Liu et al., 2006; Singh et al., 2003). Therefore, the development of new treatment modalities is extremely important. It is known that defects in the immune system play a crucial role in the development of cancer as well as in the host defense against cancer. Thus, specific immune therapeutic therapy approaches have been tested for a long time. Tumor-associated antigens recognized by tumor-reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) have been identified during the last two decades (Janeway et al., 2004). Also in patients with GBM such tumor antigen specific CD8+ T cells have been identified in the circulating blood (Tang et al., 2005). A specific cancer
Increased Synthesis of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Uterine Explants From Pregnant Diabetic Rats and in Primary Cultures of Uterine Cells in High Glucose

The production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was investigated in uterine explants from normal, diabetic, or insulin-treated diabetic pregnant rats. Explants from diabetic rats released more soluble TNF-α than did those in the other groups. The extent of this secretion was correlated with blood glucose concentration at the time of explantation. The concentration of cell membrane–associated TNF-α in the explants was not altered by diabetes. Daily insulin administration failed to normalize uterine TNF-α secretion despite correction of glycemia in the diabetic rats. Explants from normal pregnant rats cultured in vitro with increasing concentrations of D-glucose showed a dose-dependent increase in TNF-α secretion. The production of TNF-α in high glucose was also tested in primary cultures of uterine cells isolated from either immature or adult rats. TNF-α secretion was increased in high D-glucose but not in iso-osmolar concentrations of L-glucose, D-raffinose, D-galactose, or mannitol. Cell membraneassociated TNF-α was not influenced by high D-glucose. Semiquantitative reverse transcription–amplification of RNA extracted from primary cultures of uterine cells showed that the steady-state level of TNF-α transcripts was increased by high D-glucose but not by high L-glucose. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that hyperglycemia is instrumental in the overexpression of TNF-α in the diabetic uterus. Because TNF-α has a demonstrated negative impact on embryonic growth, enhanced TNF-α synthesis in the pregnant uterus may contribute to the embryopathy associated with maternal diabetes.
Evaluating a Multivariate Directional Connectivity Measure for Use in Electroencephalogram (EEG) Network Analysis Using a Conductance-Based Neuron Network Model

Abstract : Neuroscientist have shown increasing interest in understanding brain networks, and directional connectivity measures based on multivariate autoregressive (MVAR) models of signals have been proposed as a method to recover patterns of functional brain connectivity. In the past, the mathematical properties of these measures have been studied by applying them to well defined linear models or differential equations describing nonlinear oscillations. Our work tests these measures on more realistic electroencephalogram (EEG) signals to evaluate their applicability for experimental use. This report evaluates how well an effective functional connectivity measure, the directed transfer function (DTF), captures the connectivity patterns across 6 simulated 4-node networks. Each node in the network is composed of conductance-based model neurons that have been tuned to oscillate in frequency bands common in experimental EEG studies, alpha and gamma. The resulting time series from each simulation was separately modeled using multivariate autoregressive modeling, and DTF was computed from the model coefficients. Our results demonstrate that this measure can lead to spurious results in both simple feed forward networks and more complex networks with feedback loops and a ring structure; however , we propose 2 guiding principles that can increase the reliability of the results and discuss their applicability and interpretability for the future of EEG experimental analysis.