Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Affine-Quadratic Term Structure Models – Toward the Understanding of Jumps in Interest Rate

In this paper, we propose a unifying class of affine-quadratic term structure models (AQTSMs) in the general jump-diffusion framework. Extending existing term structure models, the AQTSMs incorporate random jumps of stochastic intensity in the short rate process. Using information from the Treasury futures market, we propose a GMM approach for the estimation of the risk-neutral process. A distinguishing feature of the approach is that the time series estimates of stochastic volatility and jump intensity are obtained, together with model parameter estimates. Our empirical results suggest that stochastic jump intensity significantly improves the model fit to the term structure dynamics. We identify a stochastic jump intensity process that is negatively correlated with interest rate changes. Overall, negative jumps tend to have a larger size than positive ones. Our empirical results also suggest that, at monthly frequency, while stochastic volatility has certain predictive power of inflation, jumps are neither triggered by nor predictive of changes in macroeconomic variables. At daily frequency, however , we document interesting patterns for jumps associated with informational shocks in the financial market.
Incremental Value of Strain Rate Analysis as an Adjunct to Wall-Motion Scoring for Assessment of Myocardial Viability by Dobutamine Echocardiography: A Follow-Up Study After Revascularization

Background— Assessment of myocardial viability based on wall-motion scoring (WMS) during dobutamine echocardiography (DbE) is difficult and subjective. Strain-rate imaging (SRI) is quantitative, but its incremental value over WMS for prediction of functional recovery after revascularization is unclear. Methods and Results— DbE and SRI were performed in 55 stable patients (mean age, 64±10 years; mean ejection fraction, 36±8%) with previous myocardial infarction. Viability was predicted by WMS if function augmented during low-dose DbE. SR, end-systolic strain (ESS), postsystolic strain (PSS), and timing parameters were analyzed at rest and with low-dose DbE in abnormal segments. Regional and global functional recovery was defined by side-by-side comparison of echocardiographic images before and 9 months after revascularization. Of 369 segments with abnormal resting function, 146 showed regional recovery. Compared with segments showing functional recovery, those that failed to recover had lower low-dose DbE SR, SR increment (ΔSR), ESS, and ESS increment (ΔESS) (each P<0.005). After optimal cutoffs for the strain parameters were defined, the sensitivity of low-dose DbE SR (78%, P=0.3), ΔSR (80%, P=0.1), ESS (75%, P=0.6), and ΔESS (74%, P=0.8) was better though not significantly different from WMS (73%). The specificity of WMS (77%) was similar to the SRI parameters. Combination of WMS and SRI parameters augmented the sensitivity for prediction of functional recovery above WMS alone (82% versus 73%, P=0.015; area under the curve=0.88 versus 0.73, P<0.001), although specificities were comparable (80% versus 77%, P=0.2). Conclusions— The measurement of low-dose DbE SR and ΔSR is feasible, and their combination with WMS assessment improves the sensitivity of viability assessment with DbE.
Thin-Layer Hydroxyapatite Deposition on a Nanofiber Surface Stimulates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation and Their Differentiation into Osteoblasts

Pulsed laser deposition was proved as a suitable method for hydroxyapatite (HA) coating of coaxial poly-ɛ-caprolactone/polyvinylalcohol (PCL/PVA) nanofibers. The fibrous morphology of PCL/PVA nanofibers was preserved, if the nanofiber scaffold was coated with thin layers of HA (200 nm and 400 nm). Increasing thickness of HA, however, resulted in a gradual loss of fibrous character. In addition, biomechanical properties were improved after HA deposition on PCL/PVA nanofibers as the value of Young's moduli of elasticity significantly increased. Clearly, thin-layer hydroxyapatite deposition on a nanofiber surface stimulated mesenchymal stem cell viability and their differentiation into osteoblasts. The optimal depth of HA was 800 nm.
On the e ciency of code-based steganography by Tanjona Fiononana Ralaivaosaona

On the e ciency of code-based steganography F.T. Ralaivaosaona Department of Mathematical Sciences, Mathematics Division, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. Thesis: MScEng (Mech) December 2014 Steganography is the art of hiding information inside a data host called the cover. The amount of distortion caused by that embedding can in uence the security of the steganographic system. By secrecy we mean the detectability of the existence of the secret in the cover, by parties other than the sender and the intended recipient. Crandall (1998) proposed that coding theory (in particular the notion of covering radius) might be used to minimize embedding distortion in steganography. This thesis provides a study of that suggestion. Firstly a method of constructing a steganographic schemes with small embedding radius is proposed by using a partition of the set of all covers into subsets indexed by the set of embeddable secrets, where embedding a secret s is a maximum likelihood decoding problem on the subset indexed by s. This converts the problem of nding a stego-scheme with small embedding radius to a coding theoretic problem. Bounds are given on the maximum amount of information that can be embedded. That raises the question of the relationship between perfect codes and perfect steganographic schemes. We de ne a translation from perfect linear codes to steganographic schemes; the latter belong to the family of matrix embedding schemes, which arise from random linear codes. Finally, the capacity of a steganographic scheme with embedding constraint is investigated, as is the embedding e ciency to evaluate the performance of steganographic schemes. ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za
Efficacy of fresh lime for smoking cessation.

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of fresh lime as a smoking cessation aid compared with nicotine gum. MATERIAL AND METHOD A randomized, controlled trial was conducted between March 2009 and September 2009. Only regular smokers aged 18 or older who were willing to quit were randomized to receive either fresh lime (n = 47) or nicotine gum (n = 53). Smokers were excluded if they were using other smoking cessation aids, allergic to citrus, or had dental problems. Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO)-confirmed continuous abstinence rate (CAR) during week 9-12 was measured as the primary outcomes. To grade the severity of craving, a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) was used. RESULTS There was no significant difference in CO-confirmed CAR between the fresh lime group and the nicotine gum group during weeks 9-12 (61.7% vs. 66.0%; p = 0.65), although 7-day point prevalence abstinence at week 4 of the fresh lime users was statistically significant lower than those using nicotine gum (38.3% vs. 58.5%; p = 0.04). Cravings did not differ significantly between the groups, although fresh lime users tend to report more cravings intensity. CONCLUSION Fresh lime can be used effectively as a smoking cessation aid, although not as good as nicotine gum in reducing cravings.
Microparticle manipulation using CW and modulated diode laser

Various platforms for microparticle manipulation have already been applied as useful tools for research in the life science field over recent decades. So far, several techniques have been investigated with their own advantages and limitations. For label-free approaches, such as acoustic tweezers, samples can be moved, controlled and separated in a gentle and precise manner. In order to achieve non-contact and remote control approaches, laser ultrasonics will be a potential technique for the acoustic tweezing field. In addition, using laser-induced thermal forces will be a novel and alternative tool for micromanipulation. In this thesis, new platforms were developed for microparticle trapping and manipulation by either laser-induced surface acoustics based on a modulatable diode laser or laser-induced thermal forces without any absorbing coatings on the substrate. For laser-induced surface acoustics, the intensity of generated surface acoustic waves (SAWs) based on our experimental setup was measured first. With inspiration from the literature, several attempts were made to generate and detect SAWs using a modulated laser beam from a diode laser by different combinations of generation methods and detection techniques, and improvements of the experimental system. However, none of the expected signals could be observed and measured. The factors that affected the amplitude of the SAWs were further investigated by numerical modelling. The results show that the surface displacement was enhanced significantly with a thin metal layer coated on the substrate, and by increasing the optical intensity within the illumination region at low modulation frequencies (~1 kHz). However, the displacement decreased greatly with frequency. At the high frequency (25 MHz) used in the experiments, it reduced to 2.95 fm, which was 5 orders of magnitude smaller than that at 1 kHz. It can be concluded that the generated SAWs were too weak to move particles under our experimental conditions. Moreover, microparticles and biological samples were trapped and manipulated successfully in a thin fluidic chamber by the combined effect of laser-induced thermal forces. The characterisations of the physical phenomena were further studied by looking into the relations between particle speed and incident optical power and particle size. Furthermore, numerical modelling based on the experiments was undertaken to further explain the phenomena and investigate the underlying mechanisms. In summary, this new platform opens up the possibility to develop a novel micromanipulation technique with benefits of low cost, compact, biocompatible, modest optical power (≤ 200 mW) and being easy to set up and operate, which provides significant advantage over large system usually used for micromanipulation.
Characterization of an Enteropathogenic Bovine Calicivirus Representing a Potentially New Calicivirus Genus

ABSTRACT Bovine enteric caliciviruses (BEC) are associated with diarrhea in young calves. The BEC strains detected in Europe form a third genogroup within the genus “Norwalk-like viruses” (NLV) of the family Caliciviridae. In this report, we present sequence, clinical, and histological data characterizing a novel enteropathogenic BEC strain, NB, detected in fecal specimens from calves in the United States. The complete RNA genome of the NB virus is 7,453 bases long and is organized into two open reading frames (ORFs). ORF-1 is 2,210 amino acids long and encodes a large nonstructural polyprotein contiguous with the major capsid protein (VP1), similar to the lagoviruses and “Sapporo-like viruses” (SLV). The conserved calicivirus motifs were identified in the nonstructural proteins. ORF-2 is located at the 3′ end of the genome and encodes a small basic protein (VP2) of 225 amino acids. The 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions are 74 and 67 bases long, respectively. Among caliciviruses, NB virus shows amino acid identities of 14.1 to 22.6% over the entire ORF-1 nonstructural-protein sequence with NLV, SLV, vesivirus, and lagovirus strains, while the overall sequence identity of the complete NB VP-1 with other caliciviruses is low, varying between 14.6 and 26.7%. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete VP1 protein, including strains from all four calicivirus genera, showed the closest grouping of NB virus to be with viruses in the genus Lagovirus, which cause liver infections and systemic hemorrhage in rabbits. In gnotobiotic calves, however, NB virus elicited only diarrhea and intestinal lesions that were most severe in the upper small intestine (duodenum and jejunum), similar to the NLV BEC strains. The tissues of major organs, including the lung, liver, kidney, and spleen, had no visible microscopic lesions.
KY Converter and Its Derivatives

In this paper, a voltage-boosting converter, named KY converter (i.e., 1-plus-D converter), is presented. Unlike the traditional nonisolated boost converter, this converter possesses fast load transient responses, which is similar to the buck converter with synchronous rectification. In addition, it possesses nonpulsating output current, thereby not only decreasing the current stress on the output capacitor but also reducing the output voltage ripple. Besides, 1-plus-2D and 2-plus-D converters, derived from the KY converter, are presented based on the same structure but different pulsewidth-modulation control strategies. Above all, the main difference between the KY converter and its derivatives is that the latter ones possess higher output voltages than the former one under the same duty cycle. A detailed description of the KY converter and its derivatives is presented along with some simulated and experimental results.
High-Definition IPTV Broadcasting Architecture Over Gigabit-Capable Passive Optical Network

Service providers are currently seeking to offer high-quality IP video service on single broadband IP network infrastructures, including ADSL and passive optical networks (PON). One of motivation of our work is increasing the bandwidth utilization efficiency of video data delivery to home subscribers and reducing the channel zapping time. We propose a high-definition IPTV broadcasting architecture over GPON that can provide 100 HDTV channel over fiber lines in this paper consisting of a Gigabit-capable passive optical networks (GPON), IPTV terminals, an IP broadcasting server, and an IP broadcasting management server. We adapt the optical broadcast nature of a GPON to IP multicast networks to effectively broadcast video content to home subscribers. We develop IPTV channel selection mechanism in the GPON ONT by selecting a multicast stream at a subscriber's home that can achieve a 10-msec IPTV channel selection speed.
An essential role for UshA in processing of extracellular flavin electron shuttles by Shewanella oneidensis

The facultative anaerobe Shewanella oneidensis can reduce a number of insoluble extracellular metals. Direct adsorption of cells to the metal surface is not necessary, and it has been shown that S. oneidensis releases low concentrations flavins, including riboflavin and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), into the surrounding medium to act as extracellular electron shuttles. However, the mechanism of flavin release by Shewanella remains unknown. We have conducted a transposon mutagenesis screen to identify mutants deficient in extracellular flavin accumulation. Mutations in ushA, encoding a predicted 5′‐nucleotidase, resulted in accumulation of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in culture supernatants, with a corresponding decrease in FMN and riboflavin. Cellular extracts of S. oneidensis convert FAD to FMN, whereas extracts of ushA mutants do not, and fractionation experiments show that UshA activity is periplasmic. We hypothesize that S. oneidensis secretes FAD into the periplasmic space, where it is hydrolysed by UshA to FMN and adenosine monophosphate (AMP). FMN diffuses through outer membrane porins where it accelerates extracellular electron transfer, and AMP is dephosphorylated by UshA and reassimilated by the cell. We predict that transport of FAD into the periplasm also satisfies the cofactor requirement of the unusual periplasmic fumarate reductase found in Shewanella.
A retrospective study of probabilistic context-based retrieval

We propose a novel probabilistic retrieval model which weights terms according to their contexts in documents. The term weighting function of our model is similar to the language model and the binary independence model. The retrospective experiments (i.e., relevance information is present) illustrate the potential of our probabilistic context-based retrieval where the precision at the top 30 documents is about 43% for TREC-6 data and 52% for TREC-7 data.
Business Process Verification: The Application of Model Checking and Timed Automata

The most important result to standardize the notation for graphical representation of Business Processes (BPs) is the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN). Despite the BPs modeled with BPMN being able to support business designers, BPMN models are not appropriate to support the analysis phase. BPMN models have no formal semantics to conduct qualitative analysis (validation and verification). In this work is presented how Model Checking (MC) verification technique for software and Timed Automata (TA) formal language are integrated within a formal verification approach to check BPs modeled with BPMN. Also, are introduced a set of guideline to transform BPMN models into TA. The use of our approach allow to business analysts and designers to perform evaluation (i.e., qualitative analysis) of BPs, based on the formal specification of BP–task model with TA. The application of the approach is aimed to evaluate the behavior of the BP–task model with respect to business performance indicators (for instance, service time, waiting time or queue size) derived from business needs, as is shown in an instance of an enterprise–project related to Customer Relationship Management.
Novel Planar UWB Monopole Antenna With Triple Band-Notched Characteristics

A novel spade-shaped ultrawideband (UWB) printed planar monopole antenna with triple band-notched characteristics is proposed. By employing a hook-shaped defected ground structure (DGS) in each side of the ground plane, embedding an Omega-shaped slot on the radiating patch as well as adding a semi-octagon-shaped resonant ring on the back side of the antenna, triple notched frequency bands are achieved. The proposed antenna has been successfully simulated, fabricated, and measured. Effects of the key parameters on the frequency ranges of the notched bands are also investigated. The measured impedance bandwidth defined by VS WR < 2 of 10.1 GHz (2.9-13 GHz), with the triple notched bands of 3.3-3.9, 5.2-5.35, and 5.8-6.0 GHz, is obtained. Measured group delay and transmission characteristics indicate that the antenna has good transient response. Furthermore, the proposed antenna shows the merit of insensitivity to both finite ground size and fabrication tolerances.
Chimpp: A Click-based programming and simulation environment for reconfigurable networking hardware

Reconfigurable network hardware makes it easier to experiment with and prototype high-speed networking systems. However, these devices are still relatively hard to program; for example, requiring users to develop in Verilog or VHDL. Further, these devices are commonly designed to work with software on a host computer, requiring the co-development of these hardware and software components. We address this situation with Chimpp, a development environment for reconfigurable network hardware, modeled on the popular Click modular router system. Chimpp employs a modular approach to designing hardware-based packet-processing systems, featuring a simple configuration language similar to that of Click. We demonstrate this development environment by targeting the NetFPGA platform. Chimpp can be combined with Click itself at the software layer for a highly modular, mixed hardware and software design framework. We also enable the integrated simulation of the hardware and software components of a network device together with other network devices using the OMNeT++ network simulator. The goal of Chimpp is to make experimentation easy by providing a toolbox of reusable, modular elements and a way to easily combine them. In contrast with some prior work, Chimpp avoids unnecessary restrictions on module interfaces and design styles. Rather, it is easy to add custom interfaces and to incorporate existing hardware modules. We describe our design and implementation of Chimpp, and provide initial evaluations showing how Chimpp makes it easier to implement, simulate, and modify a variety of packet-processing systems on the NetFPGA platform.
The germs inside me: Pediatric patients' conceptualization of illness and regulation of emotions during hospitalization

THE GERM INSIDE ME: PEDIATRIC PATIENTS’ CONCEPTUALIZATION OF ILLNESS AND REGULATION OF EMOTIONS DURING HOSPITALIZATION by Sarah E. Buck The transition into a medical setting can be difficult for children under the age of 18. Previous research has identified a child’s capacity to construct accurate representations of illness, in addition to the construction and application of adaptive strategies to modify emotional arousal, as significant predictors of successful adjustment to a medical environment. Preexisting research has neglected to investigate the constructs of illness conceptualization and regulatory systems of emotions. Using a sample of 26 pediatric patients and 26 adult informants, the current study explored the complex relationship between emotional regulation and the conceptualization of illness among children, from the ages of three to five, in the management of a hospital setting. Measures of inhibition, attentional shift and inhibitory self-control were significantly and negatively related to general illness conceptualization. In addition, the study investigated the implications of increased exposure to hospitalization on pediatric patients’ development of health-related knowledge and strategies to regulate emotional arousal in early childhood. Contrary to prediction, children characterized as experiencing frequent admittances to a medical setting attained significantly higher means scores, reflecting poor aptitude, on measures of attentional shift, emotional control, and flexibility. The present investigation validates the necessity of respective therapeutic models to appropriately intervene for vulnerable, medically fragile populations
An Efficient Scheme to Allocate Soft-Aperiodic Tasks in Multiprocessor Hard Real-Time Systems

We propose a scheme to allocate individual softaperiodic tasks in a shared memory symmetrical multiprocessor for hard-real time systems applications. The aim of this scheme is to minimize the aperiodic mean response time by running a local uniprocessor scheduler to serve periodic tasks guaranteeing their deadlines, and serving aperiodic tasks with a global scheduler that uses different allocation strategies. We show that performance achieved depends highly on the allocation decisions made by the global scheduler when several processors are available to execute aperiodic tasks. We compare four classical allocation strategies and the best results are obtained using a next-fit allocation strategy. The mean aperiodic response time with this strategy is less than 2 times the computation time required by the aperiodic tasks, up to total loads of 97%.
Clonal Nature of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coliSerotype O6:H16 Revealed by Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis

ABSTRACT The genetic relatedness among 29 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains of serotype O6:H16 was investigated by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. The strains were isolated in different parts of the world, displayed CS1-CS3 or CS2-CS3 profiles, and expressed heat-labile toxin (LT) and heat-stable toxin; a single strain expressed only LT. Ten RAPD types were distinguished and showed significant similarity, having on average 82% of the amplified bands in common. These results indicated that, irrespective of the different geographical origin or virulence factors, these strains belonged to a widespread clonal group.