Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Türk Bankacilik Sektöründeki Getiri ve Risk Oranları ile Doğrudan Yabancı Sermaye Yatırımları İlişkisi

In this study, the relationship of Turkish banking sector stock returns and systematic risks with foreign direct investment (FDI) was examined. For this purpose, the period during 2006-2009 was analyzed using Kao (1999) and Pedroni (1999, 2004) cointegration tests. Long-term coefficients were studied using pooled mean Group (PMG) and dynamic Least Squares (DfE) estimators. The results showed that FDI had a negative and meaningful impact on stock returns and bank betas. Accordingly, as foreign fixed capital investments in Turkey increase, bank returns and systematic risks fall. This finding shows that the Turkish financial system is extremely sensitive to international capital flows in the private sector of the Turkish banking sector. In particular, the implementation of policies that will encourage FDI will contribute significantly to reducing market risks that banks cannot eliminate by diversifying their portfolios. These policies will also have a positive impact on the stability and institutional soundness of the banking sector. In the study, the causality relationship between variables was examined by Emirmahmutoğlu and Köse (2011) using causality analysis. The applied causality test results showed that there was a causal relationship from FDI to only Garanti Bank's stock returns. Similarly, it has been found that there is only proper causation from Vakıfbank to FDI. When the causality between FDI and bank betas was examined, it was observed that it was not only from FDI to Denizbank, but also that there was a causal relationship from Halkbank betas to FDI.
Climate assessment of single flights: Deduction of route specific equivalent CO2 emissions

Abstract Climate impact of anthropogenic activities is more and more of public concern. But while CO2 emissions are accounted in emissions trading and mitigation plans, emissions of non-CO2 components contributing to climate change receive much less attention. One of the anthropogenic emission sectors, where non-CO2 effects play an important part, is aviation. Hence, for a quantitative estimate of total aviation climate impact, assessments need to comprise both CO2 and non-CO2 effects (e.g., water vapor, nitrogen dioxide, and contrails), instead of calculating and providing only CO2 impacts. However, while a calculation of CO2 effects relies directly on fuel consumption, for non-CO2 effects detailed information on aircraft trajectory, engine emissions, and ambient atmospheric conditions are required. As often such comprehensive information is not available for all aircraft movements, a simplified calculation method is required to calculate non-CO2 impacts. In our study, we introduce a simple calculation method which allows quantifying climate assessment relying on mission parameters, involving distance and geographic flight region. We present a systematic analysis of simulated climate impact from more than 1000 city pairs with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft depending on the flight distance and flight region to derive simplified but still realistic representation of the non-CO2 climate effects. These new formulas much better represent the climate impact of non-CO2 effects compared to a constant CO2 multiplier. The mean square error decrease from 1.18 for a constant factor down to 0.24 for distance dependent factors and can be reduced even further to 0.19 for a distance and latitude dependent factor.
Evaluation of GaN HEMT degradation by means of pulsed I-V, leakage and DLTS measurements

The effects of short-term step-stress on the performance of GaN HEMTs have been evaluated for the first time by means of current deep-level-transient-spectroscopy (DLTS) measurements. When subjected to high reverse gate bias the devices experienced an increase in the drain current dispersion as well as in the gate current. Current DLTS measurements carried out during the stress experiment show that the device degradation can be associated to the formation of a defect that is thermally activated with an energy of 0.5 eV.
Efficient Probabilistic Inversion of Induced Earthquake Parameters in 3D Heterogeneous Media

Abstract. We present an efficient probabilistic workflow for the estimation of source parameters of induced seismic events in three-dimensional heterogeneous media. Our workflow exploits a linearized variant of the Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) algorithm. Compared to traditional Markov-Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms, HMC is highly efficient in sampling high-dimensional model spaces. Through a linearization of the forward problem around the prior mean (i.e., the "best" initial model), this efficiency can be further improved. We show, however, that this linearization leads to a performance in which the output of an HMC chain strongly depends on the quality of the prior; in particular, because not all (induced) earthquake model parameters have a linear relationship with the recordings observed at the surface. To mitigate the importance of an accurate prior, we integrate the linearized HMC scheme into a workflow that (i) allows for a weak prior through linearization around various (initial) centroid locations, (ii) is able to converge to the mode containing the model with the (global) minimum misfit by means of an iterative HMC approach, and (iii) uses variance reduction as a criterion to include the output of individual Markov chains in the estimation of the posterior probability. Using a three-dimensional heterogeneous subsurface model of the Groningen gas field, we simulate an induced earthquake to test our workflow. We then demonstrate the virtue of our workflow by estimating the event's centroid (three parameters), moment tensor (six parameters), and the earthquake's origin time. We find that our workflow is able to recover the posterior probability of these source parameters rather well, even when the prior model information is inaccurate, imprecise, or both inaccurate and imprecise.
Electrochemical Gating of Oxide Nanowire Transistors at Low Operating Voltage

Single-crystal, one-dimensional (1-D), metal-oxide nanostructures are well known for their excellent electronic transport properties. Moreover, metal oxide-nanowire field-effect transistors (FETs) offer both high optical transparency and large mechanical conformability which are essential for flexible and transparent display applications. While the “on-currents” achieved with nanowire channel transistors are already sufficient to drive active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays; it is shown here in addition that application of electrochemical-gating (EG) to nanowire electronics reduces the operation voltage to ≤2 V. This opens up new possibilities for the realization of flexible, portable, transparent displays that can be powered by thin film batteries. Electrolyte gated field-effect transistors are fabricated with single crystalline metal oxide nanowires such as ZnO and SnO2 as the channel and a composite solid polymer electrolyte (CSPE) is used as dielectric gating material. Excellent transistor performance and a very low-voltage operation (≤ 2 V) have been demonstrated. Practical use of such electrolyte-gated field-effect transistor (EG FET) devices is validated by their long-term stability in air. Moreover, due to the good conductivity (≈10−2 S/cm) of the CSPE, sufficiently high switching speed of such EG FETs is attainable; a cut-off frequency in excess of 100 kHz is measured for in-plane FETs. Furthermore, thermal stability of the FETs is systematically examined up to 180 °C. Unchanged transistor characteristics are obtained up to 70 °C, short exposure at 110 °C is found acceptable, making such devices compatible with organic photovoltaics or various biomedical applications. Additionally, the solid polymer electrolyte developed in this study has great potential for future device fabrication using all-solution processed and high throughput techniques.
Simple repetition rate tunable picosecond pulse-generating 10 GHz laser

A compact, passively fundamental-mode-locked, optically pumped Er:Yb:glass laser where the pulse repetition rate is continuously tunable in the range 8.8-13.3 GHz is demonstrated. The average output power exceeds 20 mW, and the pulse duration is between 1.7 and 1.9 ps over the whole tuning range. Tuning is turnkey and the main laser parameters remain unchanged during tuning.
Performance evaluation of optically preamplified receivers with partially polarised noise and arbitrary optical filtering: a rigorous approach

A new rigorous formulation to evaluate the performance of optical receivers with arbitrary optical filtering and partially polarised noise is proposed. The formulation is based on the calculation of the moment generating function (MGF) of the current at the receiver output and is validated by comparison of the probability density function (PDF) of the current obtained from the MGF with the PDF obtained by Monte Carlo simulation. It is shown that there are always two orthogonal directions over which the noise-polarised component can be projected so that the noise projections are statistically uncorrelated. As a consequence, it is concluded that the MGF of the current depends only on the noise degree of polarisation and on the angle between signal and noise polarisations. An explicit dependence of the mean and variance of the signal-amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and ASE-ASE beat noises on those two factors is presented. It is shown that, when the noise polarisation is parallel to the signal polarisation, the receiver sensitivity is maintained (in comparison with the unpolarised ASE noise case), even in case of highly polarised noise. If the noise polarisation is orthogonal to the signal polarisation, the sensitivity degrades with the degree of polarisation increase, mainly due to signal power reduction.
Design and mechanics of continuum robots for surgery

This dissertation describes design and modeling of two new flexible, continuous backbone robotic dexterity enhancement devices, and algorithms to robotically manipulate them in surgery. These steerable needles and active cannulas provide dexterity in thin (needle-sized) form factors, permitting surgical tools to “turn corners” inside the human body. The robotic tool manipulation algorithms are useful for rapidly and accurately aligning many kinds of surgical tools with planned poses and entry vectors. Drawing on techniques from artificial intelligence, they do not require cumbersome calibration, complete knowledge of robot kinematics, or even encoding, making them well-suited to uncertain real-world clinical environments. Simulations and experimental results demonstrate the accuracy and speed of the algorithms. When an intervention is needle-based, steerable needles provide a means to achieve dexterity within soft tissue after insertion begins. Asymmetric forces generated by a bevel tip are harnessed robotically to generate controllable deflection, and curvature is enhanced by design of needle properties and geometry. The needle is modeled as a nonholonomic system with model parameters fit to experimental data. A new control
A computer tomography-based anthropomorphic study of forearm osteology: implications for prosthetic design

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to accurately establish the variability in the anatomy of the radius and ulna in the context of the design of an intramedullary nail for both bones METHODS: Forearm computed tomography scans were used to measure the specific internal and external anatomy of the radius and ulna in adult patients. Patients with fractures or dislocations involving either the radius and/or ulna were excluded RESULTS: A total of 97 scans, comprising 84% male and 16% female patients, were included. The mean radius length was 238.43±18.38 mm (95% CI 234.60-241.74 mm). The mean curvature was an arc with a radius of 561.43±93.49 mm (95% CI 543.09-580.78 mm). The smallest measurement of the canal width was 5.17 mm (95% CI 4.87-5.47 mm). The ulna showed a mean length of 259.90±19.88 mm (95% CI 255.89-263.91 mm). The smallest measurement of the canal width was 4.80±1.30 mm (95% CI 4.53-5.87 mm). The mean proximal shaft angle was 11.39±3.30° (95% CI 10.76-12.82° CONCLUSION: This computed tomography scan-based anthropomorphic study has identified novel anatomical features and associations of human forearm bones. This information will be used in the design and manufacture of anatomic intramedullary devices to better manage radius and ulna fractures or pathology Level of evidence: Level 4 Keywords: radius, ulna, anatomy, osteology, radius of curvature, intramedullary design
Discrimination, Mental Health, and Suicidal Ideation among Sexual Minority Adults in Latin America: Considering the Roles of Social Support and Religiosity

Despite the high rates of discrimination and mental health issues experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults at an international level, very little research has focused on this population in Latin America. As a result, the purpose of this study was to explore relationships among discrimination experiences, mental health (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms), suicidal ideation, religiosity, and social support in LGBT adults in Latin America. A sample of 99 participants from the region completed an online survey assessing these constructs. Results suggested that 51.5% of the sample reported lifetime suicidal ideation. Experiences with harassment/rejection-type discrimination predicted suicidal ideation, while work/school-type discrimination predicted mental health problems (anxiety and depression). Depressive symptoms predicted suicidal ideation, while anxiety symptoms alone did not. Further, depressive symptoms mediated relationships between work/school discrimination and suicidal ideation, as well as between harassment/rejection discrimination and suicidal ideation. Moderated mediation analyses suggested that high, but not low or moderate levels of social support and religiosity buffered LGBT adults in Latin America against discrimination, specifically by weakening links among discrimination, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Clinical intervention research with LGBT adults in Latin America should focus on increasing social support networks for this population and on helping LGBT adults reconcile conflicts between religious identities and sexual or gender minority identities, as healthy religiosity may serve as a protective factor against mental health problems generally, and suicidal ideation specifically.
PIV and deformation measurements on the rotor blade of a rotating, scaled model wind turbine with flexible blades under tailored inflow conditions

Wind turbines face harsh inflow conditions when operating in the atmospheric boundary layer or in the wake of other wind turbines. The incoming velocity field can change within seconds due to the turbulent structures it contains, resulting in a rapid change of several degrees in the angle of attack for the rotating blade. Aerodynamics are hence rapidly altered, leading to changes of the occurring forces on the rotor. Such dynamic forces cause the blades to twist and bend, accelerating fatigue and reducing the lifetime of a turbine Spinato et al. (2009).
Model Predictive Control With Constant Switching Frequency for Three-Level T-Type Inverter-Fed PMSM Drives

Finite control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) shows superior dynamic performance with simple structure for motor drives. However, conventional FCS-MPC method presents unfixed switching frequency, making it intractable for the design of heat sinks and output filters. To address this issue, this article is devoted to developing a new FCS-MPC strategy with constant switching frequency for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives fed by three-level T-type inverter. The switching frequency regulation is realized by extending the period control technique, where the periods are measured between each rising edge and falling edge of the gate signals. The proposed algorithm can be embedded in the iterative process of the FCS-MPC, which can easily achieve the fixed switching frequency with balanced neutral point potential. The performance of this control strategy is numerically evaluated and experimentally verified by an 11-kW PMSM drive platform.
Silicon fibre technology development for wearable and ambient electronics applications

The concept of silicon fibre technology follows the aspiration of making whole computers recede into textile format, which can be used in a wearable or ambient environment. The integration of IC technology into fibre format is an important development for a wide range of emerging scientific applications from wearable vital sign health monitoring systems [1] to Ambient Intelligence Microsystems. This concept is achieved by building a device in silicon on insulator (SOI) [2] material and under-cutting the sacrificial SiO2 layer by a combination of isotropic and anisotropic etch processes, to leave a freestanding functional fibre. A demonstration of functionality based on this technology was produced in the form of a PN diode on a fibre [3]. After demonstrating the feasibility of the concept, subsequent active device circuits were designed and fabricated as a more complex demonstration of functionality. One of the primary considerations involved with this technology is the interconnection of these flexible silicon structures to each other and to the outside environment. A novel interconnection protocol has been developed and a prototype demonstration of a flexible LED circuit has been fabricated.
Bacterial Biofilm Growth on Various Dental Stabilization Systems for Avulsed and Luxated Teeth

With the increased incidence of traumatic injuries and the advanced understanding of the periodontal and alveolar healing process, teeth splinting has become a common practice for stabilizing traumatized teeth. Consequently, several splinting materials and techniques have been introduced in the past few years. Despite the detrimental role of bacterial biofilm on healing, the level of biofilm development on these material surfaces has not been well investigated. Bacterial biofilms are severely detrimental for periodontal healing of avulsed and luxated teeth. Thus, biofilm growth becomes a critical factor in selecting the material of choice for dental splints. In this study, we aim to assess the level of oral biofilm growth on four different splinting systems: Ribbond©, orthodontic NiTi wire, monofilament fishing line, and Titanium Trauma Splint. A total of 72 extracted anterior teeth were divided into four groups. We splinted six rows of three teeth each per group. The teeth selected were caries-free and periodontitis-free at the time of extraction. To assess biofilm growth, a supragingival dental plaque sample was cultured and directly inoculated into all groups. After 7 days, bacterial growth was quantified by live/dead fluorescent microscopy assay and colony forming unit counts (CFU). Using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni’s post hoc tests, we demonstrated that all splint systems allowed for bacterial growth. However, the Titanium Trauma Splint (TTS) allowed for the least amount of biofilm growth compared to other splint systems.
Parameter Estimation of LFM Signal in Low Signal-to-Noise Ratio Using Cross-Correlation Function

The pulse with intra-pulse modulation plays an important role in the design of radar systems. The first class of the signals type is the linear frequency modulation technique. The linear frequency modulation is used to resolve range resolution problems. This paper provides a new algorithm for detecting linear frequency modulation signals at a low signal-to-noise ratio. The core idea of the proposed method is firstly to analyse the linear frequency modulation signals via Fast Fourier Transform; and then to accumulate all energy to achieve signal detection using cross-correlation methods. The proposed algorithm showed better results in comparison with current algorithms, which are used to estimate the parameters of the linear frequency modulation signals at a low signal-to-noise ratio.
Seasonal variation of carrageenan yield, gel strength and viscosity in Sarcopeltis (ex Gigartina) skottsbergii from Southern Chile

Chile is one of the top carrageenan producers worldwide, and Sarcopeltis (ex Gigartina) skottsbergii one of the topmost exploited carrageenophytes from the wild in the world. Total yield, gel strength and viscosity from two contrasting environments Calbuco and Ancud (Inner and Outer Sea, Chile) were estimated monthly in approximately 2 years for this species. While carrageenan yields did not show differences between localities, gametophytes in spring–summer had 15% higher, compared to tetrasporophytes. Sizes (frond surface) normally did not affect carrageenan yields. Gametophytes showed clear differences in gel strength between seasons, but not between localities, with maximum peaks during winter–spring months in Calbuco and autumn‐winter months in Ancud. Seasonal variations in viscosity were also significant. While gametophyte viscosity did not exceed 120 cPs, tetrasporophytes reached 1400 cPs in Calbuco and 1000 cPs in Ancud. More remarkably, a positive correlation between viscosity and gel strength was found in S. skottsbergii gametophytes, which is significantly different between both localities. These results suggest that selective harvesting in spring–summer should be preferred to optimize cost–benefit of harvesting activities and subsequent carrageenan productivity.
Comparison of ESD protection capability of SOI and bulk CMOS output buffers

ESD protection capability of SOI CMOS output buffers has been studied with human body model (HBM) stresses of both positive and negative polarity. Experimental results show that the ESD discharge current is absorbed by the NMOSFET alone. Unlike bulk technologies where the bi-directional ESD failure voltages are limited by positive polarity stresses, SOI circuits display a more serious reliability problem in handling negative ESD discharge current. Bulk NMOS output buffers fabricated on the substrate of the same SOI wafers, after etching away the buried oxide, have been used to compare the ESD protection capability between bulk and SOI technologies. The ESD voltage sustained by these "bulk" NMOS buffers is about twice the voltage sustained by conventional SOI NMOS buffers. This scheme is proposed as an alternative ESD protection for SOI circuits. The effectiveness of ESD resistant design strategies developed in bulk-substrate technologies when transferred to SOI circuits is also discussed in this paper. <<ETX>>
Long non-coding RNA (FALEC), as a lncRNA, Promotes Malignant Behaviors of Gastric Cancer Cells by Regulating miR-203b/PIM3 Axis

BackgroundPieces of evidences have shown the important regulatory effects of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in gastric cancer (GC). While it is not entirely clear for the role and mechanism of focally amplified lncRNA on chromosome 1 (FALEC) during GC tumorigenesis. MethodsThe levels of FALEC, microRNA-203b (miR-203b), and PIM3 were confirmed by qRT-PCR. And cell autophagy, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were estimated using western blot for autophagy-related proteins, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), CCK-8, flow cytometer, and Transwell assays in NCI-N87 cells and Xenograft tumor. Besides, the interaction between miR-203b and FALEC or PIM3 was verified using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, the involvement of miR-203b and PIM3 in the regulatory effects of FALEC on GC was determined by rescue experiments. ResultsThe results proved that FALEC and PIM3 were highly expressed, while miR-203b was lowly expressed in GC. FALEC knockdown repressed GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, promoted apoptosis and autophagy in vitro. Meanwhile, FALEC knockdown prevented growth and induced GC autophagy in vivo. In mechanism, FALEC could upregulate PIM3 by sponging miR-203b in GC cells. Besides, FALEC induced the malignant behaviors of GC cells by regulating the miR-203b/PIM3 axis. Conclusions﻿Therefore, FALEC/miR-203b/PIM3 axis might act as the promising therapeutic target for the therapy of GC patients.