Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Path analysis for survival data with recurrent events

We propose a method for path analysis of survival data with recurrent events. By applying an additive model for the intensity, concepts like direct, indirect and total effects may be defined in an analogous way as for traditional path analysis. The focus is on understanding how to analyze the effect of a dynamic covariate, e.g. the number of previous events, and at the same ensuring that the effect of a fixed covariate is unbiasedly estimated. Theoretical considerations as well as simulations are presented. A dataset on recurrent tumors in rats is used for illustration.
Oracles for audio chord estimation

This paper explores how audio chord estimation could improve if information about chord boundaries or beat onsets is revealed by an oracle. Chord estimation at the frame level is compared with three simulations, each using an oracle of increasing powers. The beat and chord segments revealed by an oracle are used to compute a chord ranking at the segment level, and to compute the cumulative probability of finding the correct chord among the top ranked chords. Oracle results on two different audio datasets demonstrate the substantial potential of segment versus frame approaches for chord audio estimation. This paper also provides a comparison of the oracle results on the Beatles dataset, the standard dataset in this area, with the new Billboard Hot 100 chord dataset.
Sensitivity analysis of the potential impact of discrepancies in stratosphere–troposphere exchange on inferred sources and sinks of CO 2

Abstract. The upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) represents a transition region between the more dynamically active troposphere and more stably stratified stratosphere. The region is characterized by strong gradients in the distribution of long-lived tracers, whose representation in models is sensitive to discrepancies in transport. We evaluate the GEOS-Chem model in the UTLS using carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone (O3) observations from the HIAPER (The High-Performance Instrumented Airborne Platform for Environmental Research) Pole-to-Pole Observations (HIPPO) campaign in March 2010. GEOS-Chem CO2/O3 correlation suggests that there is a discrepancy in mixing across the tropopause in the model, which results in an overestimate of CO2 and an underestimate of O3 in the Arctic lower stratosphere. We assimilate stratospheric O3 data from the Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imager System (OSIRIS) and use the assimilated O3 fields together with the HIPPO CO2/O3 correlations to obtain an adjustment to the modeled CO2 profile in the Arctic UTLS (primarily between the 320 and 360 K isentropic surfaces). The HIPPO-derived adjustment corresponds to a sink of 0.60 Pg C for March–August 2010 in the Arctic. Imposing this adjustment results in a reduction in the CO2 sinks inferred from GOSAT observations for temperate North America, Europe, and tropical Asia of 19, 13, and 49 %, respectively. Conversely, the inversion increased the source of CO2 from tropical South America by 23 %. We find that the model also underestimates CO2 in the upper tropical and subtropical troposphere. Correcting for the underestimate in the model relative to HIPPO in the tropical upper troposphere leads to a reduction in the source from tropical South America by 77 %, and produces an estimated sink for tropical Asia that is only 19 % larger than the standard inversion (without the imposed source and sink). Globally, the inversion with the Arctic and tropical adjustment produces a sink of −6.64 Pg C, which is consistent with the estimate of −6.65 Pg C in the standard inversion. However, the standard inversion produces a stronger northern land sink by 0.98 Pg C to account for the CO2 overestimate in the high-latitude UTLS, suggesting that this UTLS discrepancy can impact the latitudinal distribution of the inferred sources and sinks. We find that doubling the model resolution from 4° × 5° to 2° × 2.5° enhances the CO2 vertical gradient in the high-latitude UTLS, and reduces the overestimate in CO2 in the extratropical lower stratosphere. Our results illustrate that discrepancies in the CO2 distribution in the UTLS can affect CO2 flux inversions and suggest the need for more careful evaluation of model errors in the UTLS.
Organic Fertilizers Improved Growth and Productivity of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) under Water Stress Condition in El-Arish Region

The effect of three organic fertilizers; viz, chicken manure (ChM, 20 and 40 m3 fed.-1), pressed olive cake(POC, 20 and 40 m3 fed.-1) and cow manure (CwM, 30 and 60 m3 fed.-1) on growth and productivity of cowpea underwater stress condition was investigated. A field experiment was carried out at The Experimental Farm, Fac. Environ.Agric. Sci., Arish Univ., El-Arish, Egypt in summer seasons of 2013 and 2014 in a sandy soil. Irrigation waterrequirements (IWR) were 50% (1050 m3 fed.-1) and 100% (2100 m3 fed.-1) of the estimated crop evapotranspiration.Results showed that20 m3 fed. -1of both ChM and POC were more effective for most vegetative growth parameters andyield components in well irrigated-cowpea in both seasons. Water stressed-cowpeas fertilized by 60 m3 fed. -1 of CwMshowed the lowest reduction in yield (34.07 and 29.86%) in both seasons, respectively, followed by POC fertilizer at 40m3 fed. -1. Water stressed cowpeas fertilized by 40 m3 fed. -1 of POC gave the highest values of water use efficiency (0.86and 0.87 kg m-3). The lowest total consumed water was recorded with 20 and 40 m3 fed. -1 of ChM–fertilized plantsunder normal and drought conditions. The content of biochemical compounds and macro-elements as well asmeasurements of some important tissues in leaflet of 3rd leaf related to drought and organic fertilizers were also studied.It was concluded that application of 20 m3fed. -1 of ChM gave the highest yield in well irrigated-cowpea. Doubledamount of organic fertilizers reduced the deleterious effect of drought especially POC and CwM by saving irrigationwater.
A re-evaluation of basal phylogenetic relationships within trogons ( Aves : Trogonidae ) based on nuclear DNA sequences

The avian clade Trogonidae (trogons) consists of approximately 40 species distributed pantropically in the Neotropical, Afrotropical and Indomalayan zoogeographical regions.In this study, we evaluate the basal phylogenetic relationships within the trogons based on DNA sequences from three nuclear introns [myoglobin intron 2, b-fibrinogen intron 7 and glyceraldehydes-3-phosphodehydrogenase (G3PDH) intron 11]. In addition, previously published cytochrome b and 12S sequences were re-analysed and combined with the nuclear data set. The analysis of the three nuclear genes combined suggests a sister group relationship between the Afrotropical (Apaloderma) and Indomalayan (Harpactes) clades, whereas the Neotropical taxa (Trogon, Pharomachrus, and Priotelus) form an unresolved polytomy basal to these two groups. In addition, two of the three individual gene trees also support a sister group relationship between the Afrotropical and Indomalayan trogons. This is at odds with previously published studies based on mitochondrial sequence data and DNA–DNA hybridization. The third nuclear intron (G3PDH), however, suggests that the Afrotropical trogons are basal relative the other trogons. This was also suggested by the mitochondrial data set, as well as the analysis of the combined nuclear and mitochondrial data. Both of these conflicting hypotheses are supported by high posterior probabilities. An insertion in b-fibrinogen further supports a basal position of the Afrotropical clade. Analyses of the myoglobin intron with additional outgroups place the root differently and strongly support monophyly of each of the zoogeographical regions (including the Neotropics), and these three clades form a basal trichotomy. This suggests that that rooting is a serious problem in resolving basal phylogenetic relationships among the trogons.
Evaluation of Consumption of Poultry Products Enriched with Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Anthropometric, Biochemical, and Cardiovascular Parameters

1Academic Area of Nurse, Institute of Health Sciences, Pachuca, HGO, Mexico 2Public Health, Academic Area of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Pachuca, HGO, Mexico 3Interdisciplinary Research Center, Academic Area of Nutrition, Institute of Health Sciences, Circuito Actopan Tilcuautla s/n, Ex-Hacienda La Concepción, 42160 Pachuca, HGO, Mexico 4Academic Area of Food Chemistry, Institute of Basic Sciences and Engineering, Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Carretera Pachuca-Tulancingo Km 4.5, Ciudad del Conocimiento, Colonia Carboneras, 42184 Mineral de la Reforma, HGO, Mexico
Fundamental-driven and Tactical Asset Allocation: what really matters?

Asset allocation contribution to ex-post performance is of primary importance. Nobody denies its role, yet the subject of allocating assets remains controversial. To some contenders, the added value stems only from strategic asset allocation which aims at providing the long-term average exposure to the selected asset classes. On the other hand, proponents of active management have introduced several forms of tactical asset allocation. In this paper, we will go a step further by distinguishing between long-term strategic asset allocation, medium-term strategic or fundamental-driven asset allocation and, finally, tactical asset allocation. “Fundamental-driven” refers to the inclusion of slow business cycle components and structural changes in the economies. “Tactical”, by contrast, exploits short term transitory mispricings in the markets. When one takes into account various types of information, it leads to various conditioning processes and thus to the three levels of asset allocation mentioned above. As an example, we illustrate how models can be used for computing the asset expected returns related with different asset allocation levels. We show that error correction models are particularly useful in this context. Finally, using these concepts, we present simulations of two actively managed balanced portfolios – equity and bonds – in the US and Europe. The simulation results show the added value of allocation either Fundamental-driven or Tactical on the portfolios’ return.
Numerical Simulations of the Formation of Melting-Layer Cloud

Abstract A number of previously published observational studies have reported the common occurrence of cloudy layers at around 5-km elevation in the tropics. There are two candidate processes that are able to explain the occurrence of cloudy layers in the middle level: cloud detrainment promoted by the stable layer and enhanced condensation to compensate for melting cooling. In the present study, the authors used a cloud-resolving nonhydrostatic model and conducted numerical simulations of a squall line to clarify the process responsible for the formation of midlevel thin cloud, especially the cloud at the 0°C level. In a two-dimensional control experiment thin cloud was simulated in the middle level, and cloud coverage showed a notable peak just below the 0°C level for environments without a stable layer in the initial temperature profile. Enhanced and weakened stability layers simultaneously appeared above and below the peak level of the cloud coverage. The formation of midlevel thin cloud is associated.
Organotypic Cultures of Hepg2 Cells for In Vitro Toxicity Studies

Tissue engineering of human liver cells in a three dimensional cell culture system could improve pharmacological studies in terms of drug metabolism, drug toxicity or adverse drug effects by mimicking the in vivo situation. In this study, we produced 3D organotypic cultures of HepG2 cells using the hanging drop method. 250 – 8000 seeded cells formed organotypic cultures within 2–3 days which increased in size during the first week. Viability and metabolic parameters (glucose, lactate) were analyzed during almost three weeks of cultivation. Liver specific albumin production was higher in the organotypic cultures as compared to both monolayer and collagen-sandwich cultures. Amino acid quantification revealed high production of glutamate as well as uptake of glutamine, alanine and branched-chain amino acids. CYP1A induction capacity was significantly improved by organotypic cultivation. The acute toxicity (24 h) of tamoxifen, an anti-cancer drug, was lower in the 3D cultures as compared to monolayer and collagen-sandwich cultures. This could be explained by a higher drug efflux through membrane transporter (MRP-2). We conclude that the engineered HepG2 cultures could be used for the investigation of CYP450 induction, anti-cancer drug effects and for the study of chemotherapy resistance. Applied to other cell types such as the human primary cells these 3D organotypic cultures may have potential in long term toxicity screening of compounds.
Power Loss Modeling of Individual IGBT and Advanced Voltage Balancing Scheme for MMC in VSC-HVDC System

This paper presents the new power dissipation model of individual switching device in a high-level modular multilevel converter (MMC), which can be mostly used in voltage sourced converter (VSC) based high-voltage direct current (HVDC) system and flexible AC transmission system (FACTS). Also, the voltage balancing method based on sorting algorithm is newly proposed to advance the MMC functionalities by effectively adjusting switching variations of the sub-module (SM). The proposed power dissipation model does not fully calculate the average power dissipation for numerous switching devices in an arm module. Instead, it estimates the power dissipation of every switching element based on the inherent operational principle of SM in MMC. In other words, the power dissipation is computed in every single switching event by using the polynomial curve fitting model with minimum computational efforts and high accuracy, which are required to manage the large number of SMs. After estimating the value of power dissipation, the thermal condition of every switching element is considered in the case of external disturbance. Then, the arm modeling for high- level MMC and its control scheme is implemented with the electromagnetic transient simulation program. Finally, the case study for applying to the MMC based HVDC system is carried out to select the appropriate insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) module in a steady-state, as well as to estimate the proper thermal condition of every switching element in a transient state.
Light effects in the atomic-motion-induced Ramsey narrowing of dark resonances in wall-coated cells

We report on light shift and broadening in the atomic-motion-induced Ramsey narrowing of dark resonances prepared in alkali-metal vapors contained in wall-coated cells without buffer gas. The atomic-motion-induced Ramsey narrowing is due to the free motion of the polarized atomic spins in and out of the optical interaction region before spin relaxation. As a consequence of this effect, we observe a narrowing of the dark resonance linewidth as well as a reduction of the ground states' light shift when the volume of the interaction region decreases at constant optical intensity. The results can be intuitively interpreted as a dilution of the intensity effect similar to a pulsed interrogation due to the atomic motion. Finally the influence of this effect on the performance of compact atomic clocks is discussed.
From the frying pan (and into the fire): Could nuclear power solve the global warming problem?

Global warming is primarily caused by carbon produced by the burning of fossil fuels, especially coal. However, nuclear power is carbon free. We develop a dynamic model of the world energy economy that includes fossil fuels and nuclear power. If global warming is to be controlled, nuclear power becomes economical, but a surprising result is that currently known stocks of uranium may only last for a very limited time. We find the scarcity rent of uranium to be large. Since only four countries possess most of the world’s uranium, this could lead to an OPEC-like uranium cartel. We model advanced nuclear technology, prototypes of which are already operational, that can reuse a significant portion of nuclear waste. We find that this technology can supply energy for an indefinite period. If global energy demand were to stagnate along with population late in this century, the imputed price of carbon today may be much lower than previously thought.
Transition induced by linear and nonlinear perturbation growth in flow past a compressor blade

Flow past a NACA 65 blade at chord-based Reynolds number 138 500 is studied using stability analysis, generalized (spatially weighted) transient growth analysis and direct numerical simulations (DNS). The mechanisms of transition on various sections of the blade observed in previous work by Zaki et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 665, 2010, pp. 57–98) are examined, with a focus on the pressure side around the leading edge. In this region, the linearly most energetic perturbation has spanwise wavenumber $40\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}$ (five boundary-layer thicknesses) and is tilted against the mean shear to take advantage of the Orr mechanism. In a DNS, the nonlinear development of this optimal perturbation induces $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ structures, which are further stretched to hairpin vortices before breaking down to turbulence. At higher spanwise wavenumber, e.g. $120\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}$ , a free-stream optimal perturbation is obtained upstream of the leading edge, in the form of streamwise vortices. During its nonlinear evolution, this optimal perturbation tilts the mean shear and generates spanwise periodic high- and low-speed streaks. Then through a nonlinear lift-up mechanism, the low-speed streaks are lifted above the high-speed ones. This layout of streaks generates a mean shear with two inflectional points and activates secondary instabilities, namely inner and outer instabilities previously reported in the literature.
Quantitative Analysis of Localized Changes in Breast Shape

Breast reconstruction surgery is an integral part of breast cancer treatment for many patients and has been shown to positively influence patients’ psychosocial adjustment and quality of life. Threedimensional (3D) visualization and quantification of the breast for different types of reconstruction procedures during the reconstruction process can allow for a better understanding of the changes in breast shape. The reconstruction process, which involves multiple procedures, can take as long as 18 24 months, and the breasts can change shape throughout this period. In this study, we present a novel approach for monitoring and quantifying changes in breast shape using 3D surface images of the torso in conjunction with surface normal measurements. The results of this study can help provide information to physicians and patients about the dynamic changes in breast morphology occurring at different stages of the reconstruction process. Additionally, this information may assist in pre-treatment surgical planning and training. In our approach, we compare the surface normal values of different regions of the breasts at different time-points using the Bhattacharyya distance, which measures histogram similarity. Results are shown for 17 patients who underwent autologous reconstruction, 14 patients who underwent implant-based reconstruction, and one patient who underwent a mixed reconstruction. Using the proposed method, we were able to evaluate changes in the 3D surface images of reconstructed breasts relative to the 3D images of preoperative breasts.
Permittivity Determination of Fresh Cement-Based Materials by an Open-Ended Waveguide Probe Using Amplitude-Only Measurements

An open-ended waveguide probe has been adapted for complex permittivity determination and hence mechanical property inspection of cement-based materials. The probe uses amplitude-only re∞ection measurements at difierent frequencies for this goal, which is suitable for industrial based applications when cost and ease of use are important considerations. We have derived expressions by taking into account of the wave-material interaction. The reference plane for measurements is set inside the waveguide to measure solely the re∞ected signal of the dominant mode. It is shown that the measurement results are in good agreement with the theory.
Nitrogen dynamics in a small arctic watershed: retention and downhill movement of 15N

We examined short- and long-term nitrogen (N) dynamics and availability along an arctic hillslope in Alaska, USA, using a stable isotope of nitrogen ( 15 N), as a tracer. Tracer levels of 15 NH4 þ were sprayed once onto the tundra at six sites in four tundra types: heath (crest), tussock with high and low water flux (mid- and footslope), and wet sedge (riparian). 15 N in vegetation and soil was monitored to estimate retention and loss over a 3- year period. Nearly all 15 NH4 þ was immediately retained in the surface moss-detritus-plant layer, and . 57% of the 15 N added remained in this layer at the end of the second year. Organic soil was the second largest 15 N sink. By the end of the third growing season, the moss-detritus-plant layer and organic soil combined retained � 87% of the 15 N added except at the Midslope site with high water flux, where recovery declined to 68%. At all sites, non-extractable and non- labile-N pools were the principal sinks for added 15 N in the organic soil. Hydrology played an important role in downslope movement of dissolved 15 N. Crest and Midslope with high-water-flux sites were most susceptible to 15 N losses via leaching, perhaps because of deep permeable mineral soil (crest) and high water flow (Midslope with high water flux). Late spring melt season also resulted in downslope dissolved- 15 N losses, perhaps because of an asynchrony between N release into melt water and soil immobilization capacity. We conclude that separation of the rooting zone from the strong sink for incoming N in the moss- detritus-plant layer, rapid incorporation of new N into relatively recalcitrant-soil-N pools within the rooting zone, and leaching loss from the upper hillslope would all contribute to the strong N-limitation of this ecosystem. An extended snow-free season and deeper depth of thaw under warmer climate may significantly alter current N dynamics in this arctic ecosystem.
The ethics of a globalized world : a universal ethic ?

In a global economy, global and universal ethics are a necessity. How can ethics be connected to the economy in an interdependent world? From all the different theories on ethics, which should we choose? Do utilitarianism and the maximization of utility promote the happiness of all or do they promote selfishness? What are the roles of international institutions in the definition of and respect for universal duties and rights? What is the relationship between the two waves of globalization and income distribution inequality around the world? These are questions that this paper raises and attempts to answer, putting forward some contributions towards the definition of a global ethic based on duties, virtues and fraternity; a universal ethic reconciling partiality in feelings with the impartiality of duties; an ethic which combining justice with solidarity and in which the means justify the ends.
Does Skin in the Game Matter? Director Incentives and Governance in the Mutual Fund Industry

We use a unique database on ownership stakes of equity mutual fund directors to analyze whether the directors’ incentive structure is related to fund performance. Ownership of both independent and nonindependent directors plays an economically and statistically significant role. Funds in which directors have low ownership, or “skin in the game,” significantly underperform. We posit two economic mechanisms to explain this relation. First, lack of ownership could indicate a director’s lack of alignment with fund shareholder interests. Second, directors may have superior private information on future performance. We find evidence in support of the first and against the second mechanism.