Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Decontaminant Residue on the Viability of Bacillus Spores during Wipe Sample Storage

Clearance sampling following a biological terror incident potentially necessitates samples being collected from surfaces recently treated with decontaminant. The impact of residual decontaminant co-collected with surviving biologicals is currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess whether residues remaining on non-porous surfaces following decontamination impact estimates of surface contamination. Two experimental approaches were used to determine if agent viability within wetted wipe samples (post-collection) is affected by the presence of pH-adjusted bleach residues, and therefore impacts the quantitative determination of Bacillus spore recovery. Results indicated that following sample storage (22°C, overnight) that determined number of colony forming units (CFU) were not statistically different for positive controls and samples containing dry decontaminant residue. These data are necessary for interpretation of post-bioterror or other contamination incident sampling results, and support current use of wetted wipes in non-porous surface sampling protocols for clearance following liquid decontamination activities.
Theanalysis of cell divisionand cellwall synthesis genes reveals mutationally inactivated ftsQ andmraY ina protoplast-typeL-form ofEscherichia coli

mutationally inactivated ftsQ andmraY ina protoplast-typeL-form ofEscherichia coli Roman A. Siddiqui, Christian Hoischen, Otto Holst, Ivonne Heinze, Bernhard Schlott, Johannes Gumpert, Stephan Diekmann, Frank Grosse & Matthias Platzer Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Jena, Germany; and Division of Structural Biochemistry, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Center for Medicine and Biosciences, Borstel, Germany
Determining Economic Benefits of Park Trails: Management Implications

Walking and day hiking on nature trails are popular activities that occur in most park and forest recreation areas, but the public commonly does not recognize trails as developed facilities that require design, construction and maintenance. Trail use impacts, such as tread and surface erosion, vegetation wear and disappearance, and trail widening, are costly repairs that need constant monitoring and maintenance. However, despite the rapid growth of the demand for park and recreational services, government budget cutbacks and public resistance to tax increases occurring over the last several decades have placed parks in a difficult financial situation. Providing park agencies with information regarding economic benefits derived from trail services and facilities will assist them in highlighting the importance of these services, justifying the need for more funds from the government, as well as supporting the implementation of revenue capture policies through user fees. Accordingly, the main focus of this study is to determine the economic values park visitors place on trail facilities and services at a state park using a nonmarket valuation tool. To estimate park visitors’ economic benefits of trail use, a contingent valuation method component was incorporated into the questionnaire. The sampling frame for this study included visitors to a state park in South Carolina. Of 543 visitors intercepted, 305 questionnaires were returned, and 248 responses were acceptable for the economic benefit analysis. Using the bivariate probit model, the estimated economic benefits for management and maintenance of park trails are $4.76 and the 95% confidence intervals are between $3.81 and $5.71. Decision makers are challenged with determining the feasibility of park maintenance and sustaining the current conditions of facilities. In particular, hiking is known to be one of the primary uses by individuals visiting parks but the provision of trail services have not kept pace with the management and maintenance needs given declining government budgets. Implications of how the study finding can be used for administration and management decisions are discussed in two different ways (1) fee-based revenue analysis and (2) cost-benefit analysis. Although this study is a case analysis involving trail use at one state park in South Carolina, the methods and results presented could be applicable to trail use at an array of local and state parks to estimate economic benefits of trail resources.
Dynamic Scoring: An Assessment of Fiscal Closing Assumptions

Analysis of fiscal policy changes using general equilibrium models with forward-looking agents typically requires a counterfactual adjustment to some fiscal instrument in order to achieve the debt sustainability implied by the government’s intertemporal budget constraint. The choice of fiscal instrument can induce economic behavior unrelated to the policy change in models where Ricardian Equivalence does not hold. In this article, we use an overlapping generations framework to examine the effects of alternative fiscal closing assumptions on projected changes to economic aggregates following a change in tax policy, assessing the extent to which the bias associated with a particular fiscal instrument can be mitigated. While we find quantitative differences in projected macroeconomic activity across alternative fiscal instruments, these differences tend to shrink as the closing date is delayed. Ultimately, the choice of fiscal instrument becomes relatively unimportant if fiscal closing can be delayed sufficiently into the future.
Privacy Based Association Rules in Secure Horizontal Database

: Privacy in data mining prevents the parties from directly sharing the data, and some types of information about the data. We introduce a protocol for secure mining of association rules in horizontally distributed databases using FDM, which an unsecured distributed version of the Apriori algorithm. We extended our work with Horizontal Aggregation that give rise to multiple row output, which transform rows to column using CASE, SPJ or PIVOT operators depending on the input. In order to prepare real world datasets that are very much suitable for data mining operations, we explored horizontal aggregations by developing constructs in the form of operators such as CASE, SPJ and PIVOT. Instead of single value, the horizontal aggregations return a set of values in the form of a row. The proposed system is user friendly as users are never expected to write queries we introduced security and privacy through cryptography and level based slicing. Level Based Slicing introduces different techniques such as Generalized Data, Bucketized Data, Multiset-based Generalization Data, One-attribute-per-Column Slicing Data, Sliced Data dimensionality of the data and preserves better utility than generalization and bucketization. Slicing protects privacy because it breaks the associations between uncorrelated attributes, which are infrequent and thus identifying. Our result shows that proposed method have higher performance other sequential algorithms. Customers can dynamically send request to the server either to apply privacy and security. In privacy, server can apply five types of slicing methods. In security server can apply FDM, Encryption and decryption, Hash function generate key for encryption and decryption. Experimental Analysis can be comparing with the time taken to evaluate the privacy preserving methods and Enhanced FDM Algorithm.
Luminosity–time and luminosity–luminosity correlations for GRB prompt and afterglow plateau emissions

We present an analysis of 123 Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) with known redshifts possessing an afterglow plateau phase. We reveal that $L_a-T^{*}_a$ correlation between the X-ray luminosity $L_a$ at the end of the plateau phase and the plateau duration, $T^*_a$, in the GRB rest frame has a power law slope different, within more than 2 $\sigma$, from the slope of the prompt $L_{f}-T^{*}_{f}$ correlation between the isotropic pulse peak luminosity, $L_{f}$, and the pulse duration, $T^{*}_{f}$, from the time since the GRB ejection. Analogously, we show differences between the prompt and plateau phases in the energy-duration distributions with the afterglow emitted energy being on average $10\%$ of the prompt emission. Moreover, the distribution of prompt pulse versus afterglow spectral indexes do not show any correlation. In the further analysis we demonstrate that the $L_{peak}-L_a$ distribution, where $L_{peak}$ is the peak luminosity from the start of the burst, is characterized with a considerably higher Spearman correlation coefficient, $\rho=0.79$, than the one involving the averaged prompt luminosity, $L_{prompt}-L_a$, for the same GRB sample, yielding $\rho=0.60$. Since some of this correlation could result from the redshift dependences of the luminosities, namely from their cosmological evolution we use the Efron-Petrosian method to reveal the intrinsic nature of this correlation. We find that a substantial part of the correlation is intrinsic. We apply a partial correlation coefficient to the new de-evolved luminosities showing that the intrinsic correlation exists.
Speaker Recognition for Mobile User Authentication: An Android Solution

This paper deals with a biometric solution for authentication on mobile devices. Among the possible biometric modalities, speaker recognition seems the most natural choice for a mobile phone. This work lies in the continuation of our previous work \cite{Biosig2012}, where we evaluated a candidate algorithm in terms of performance and time processing. The proposed solution is implemented here as an Android application. Its performances are evaluated both on a public database and on an own made database. The obtained results are promising for well chosen parameters set, with an Equal Error Rate (EER) value of 4.52%. \end{abstract}
Differential regulation of plasma proteins between members of a family with homozygous HbE and HbEβ-thalassemia

In this report we’ve compared the plasma protein profiles of 4 individuals in a family. Father and the younger son both are hemoglobin (Hb) Eβ-thalassemic {Cod 26 (G-A)/IVS 1- 5 (G-C)}, but the father never requires transfusion, whereas the younger son requires monthly blood transfusion. Mother and the elder son are HbEE {Cod 26 (G-A)/Cod 26 (GA)} without any history of transfusion. Proteomic study was done on the plasma fraction of the blood following ammonium sulphate precipitation. Proteins were separated by 2D-gel electrophoresis, expression of proteins compared by densitometry and proteins identified by tandem MALDI mass spectrometry. Proteins responsible in hemolysis, hypercoagulation and hemoglobin scavenging have shown differential regulation, establishing the relation between the differences in the levels of plasma proteins with the progression of the disease phenotype, manifested in the extent of transfusion dependence of the patient.
Micromachined three-dimensional electrode arrays for transcutaneous nerve tracking

We report the development of metal transfer micromolded (MTM) three-dimensional microelectrode arrays (3D MEAs) for a transcutaneous nerve tracking application. The measurements of electrode–skin–electrode impedance (ESEI), electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction utilizing these minimally invasive 3D MEAs are demonstrated in this paper. The 3D MEAs used in these measurements consist of a metalized micro-tower array that can penetrate the outer layers of the skin in a painless fashion and are fabricated using MTM technology. Two techniques, an inclined UV lithography approach and a double-side exposure of thick negative tone resist, have been developed to fabricate the 3D MEA master structure. The MEAs themselves are fabricated from the master structure utilizing micromolding techniques. Metal patterns are transferred during the micromolding process, thereby ensuring reduced process steps compared to traditional silicon-based approaches. These 3D MEAs have been packaged utilizing biocompatible Kapton® substrates. ESEI measurements have been carried out on test human subjects with standard commercial wet electrodes as a reference. The 3D MEAs demonstrate an order of magnitude lower ESEI (normalized to area) compared to wet electrodes for an area that is 12.56 times smaller. This compares well with other demonstrated approaches in literature. For a nerve tracking demonstration, we have chosen EMG and nerve conduction measurements on test human subjects. The 3D MEAs show 100% improvement in signal power and SNR/√area as compared to standard electrodes. They also demonstrate larger amplitude signals and faster rise times during nerve conduction measurements. We believe that this microfabrication and packaging approach scales well to large-area, high-density arrays required for applications like nerve tracking. This development will increase the stimulation and recording fidelity of skin surface electrodes, while increasing their spatial resolution by an order of magnitude or more. Although biopotential electrode systems are not without their challenges, the non-invasive access to neural information, along with the potential for automation with associated electronic and software development, is precisely what makes this technology an excellent candidate for the next generation in diagnostic, therapeutic, and prosthetic devices.
Development of an Instrument for Measuring Attitudes towards Safe Motorcycle Driving Behaviors among Thai Adolescents

This study was a part of the main study using an ecological context to develop instruments to measure factors influencing safe motorcycle driving behaviors among Thai adolescents. The study aimed to develop an instrument to specifically measure Thai adolescents' attitudes towards these behaviors. The participants were purposefully recruited from students studying in vocational certificate levels 1-3 from vocational and technical colleges in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The instrument development research design included two phases. The first phase was scale construction. The relevant terms and concepts were clarified and defined based on a literature review. Thirty six items with a 4-point Likert-type scale were generated using data obtained from focus group discussions and the literature. Content validity was assured by six experts. The items' CVI ranged between . 83 to 1.00 and the scale's CVI was . 90. Then the instrument was critiqued by six students to ensure clarity and readability. After the students' review, the revised scale consisted of 35 items with 6-point Likert- type scale. The second phase was a psychometric properties evaluation using 491 students. The construct validity was evaluated with exploratory factor analysis. Six dimensions were extracted from 25 items. The total explained variance was 58.94%. The scale's alpha coefficient was . 89 and for each dimension the coefficient ranged between . 72 and . 83. These results indicate that the scale is valid and reliable and can be used to assess attitudes towards safe motorcycle driving behaviors among Thai adolescents.
On moduli of smoothness and averaged differences of fractional order

Abstract We consider two types of fractional integral moduli of smoothness, which are widely used in the theory of functions and approximation theory. In particular, we obtain new equivalences between these moduli of smoothness and the classical moduli of smoothness. It turns out that for the fractional integral moduli of smoothness some pathological effects arise.
The Size Distribution and Mass-Weighted Terminal Velocity of Low-Latitude Tropopause Cirrus Crystal Populations

Abstract Ice crystal terminal velocities govern the lifetime of radiatively complex, climatologically important, low-latitude tropopause cirrus clouds. To better understand cloud lifetimes, the terminal velocities of low-latitude tropopause cirrus cloud particles have been estimated using data from aircraft field campaigns. Data used in this study were collected during the Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers–Florida Area Cirrus Experiment (CRYSTAL-FACE) and the Pre-Aura Validation Experiment (Pre-AVE). Particle properties were measured with the NCAR video ice particle sampler (VIPS) probe, thus providing information about particles in a poorly understood size range. Data used in this study were limited to high-altitude nonconvective thin clouds with temperatures between −56° and −86°C. Realistic particle terminal velocity estimates require accurate values of particle projected area and mass. Exponential functions were used to predict the dimensional properties of ice particles small.
Nutritional ecology of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) and fallow deer (Dama dama L.)

Nutritional ecology implies the nutritional links between an animal and its environment. On an evolutionary time scale competition for food drives species formation by genetic adaptations to the environment and subsequent niche separation of species. On a short-term scale, animals have different strategies in order to meet their nutritional requirements, which ultimately influence their health and fitness. These strategies differ among and within species while the nutritional, chemical, and structural composition of the forage varies across seasons. As such, different individuals may select particular amounts or proportion they consume based on stomach anatomy, metabolic rate, body size, physical states and life history. Understanding adaptations to different forage is therefore an important part of our understanding of nutritional ecology of herbivores, especially in temperate climate where herbivores adapt both physiologically and behaviorally to seasonal variations in order to meet their nutritional requirements. The aim of this project was to investigate temporal variation in chemical composition of forage between and within two cervid species. A total of 499 rumen samples collected from animals killed in the Koberg estate situated in southwestern Sweden were analyzed. Based on samples from fall, winter, spring and summer, the temporal variation of nutrient composition and interspecific differences between roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) and fallow deer (Dama dama L.) were investigated. The main results revealed that 1) the nutrient composition varied between species and across seasons so that roe deer selected higher proportion protein compared to fallow deer with highest proportions in spring 2) the nutrient composition varied across age and gender classes of fallow deer so that adult males selected lower proportion protein compared to female adults and juveniles in fall and 3) both species selected for a particular proportion of soluble carbohydrates, and that this proportion differed between gender and age classes within fallow deer so that adult females and subadult males selected for a particular proportion soluble carbohydrates compared to adult males. However, adult males selected for a stable proportion of protein in fall compared to adult females and subadult males. The results from this study can be used to understand inter- and intraspecific competition, to determine a correct carrying capacity of wildlife populations and to formulate balanced diets in order to avoid damages in agriculture and forestry.
Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression among Mothers of Newborns Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Gaza Strip

Objective: To determine the prevalence and level of anxiety and depression among mothers of newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units in Gaza Strip. Methods: It is a cross-sectional study including 195 mothers who’s their neonates has been admitted to NICU at the three governmental hospitals in Gaza Strip between November 2017 to September 2018. Two psychological tests were applied, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. Collected data include sociodemographic profile for mother and neonates who include characteristic of mothers, number and types of deliveries, level of education, work status and family income. In addition, characteristics of neonates, gender, gestational age and birth weight, cause of admission and length of stay. Results: The results of our study indicated that 50.8% of mothers have severe to very severe symptoms of anxiety, 38.5% of mothers have severe to very severe symptoms of depression. There was a statistically significant differences in levels of anxiety (p = 0.044) and levels of depression (p = 0.005) among mothers related to hospital. The mothers of preterm and low birth weight babies had higher levels of anxiety (p = 0.010, 0.026), but there were insignificant differences in levels of depression, while there were no insignificant differences in levels of anxiety and depression among mothers related to gender of neonate, cause of admission, and length of stay in NICU. Conclusion: The effect of different maternal and neonatal factors on levels of anxiety and depression were examined and most of them revealed insignificant differences, which means that admission to NICU as a stressful event caused elevation in levels of anxiety and depression among mothers regardless of any other factors.
Spectrum of Rheumatological Disorders : A Clinic-based Study

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and distribution of rheumatic diseases at rheumatology clinic in a tertiary level hospital. Methods: This retrospective study was done at rheumatology clinic of BIRDEM from July 2009 to December 2012. Diagnoses were reached by using clinical criteria supplemented by necessary investigations. Results: Total number of patients was 772 with female predominance (F:M ratio of 1.3:1). Mean age was 46.9 (range 1383) years. Majority (85.9%) were in 3 to 6 decades. Degenerative diseases (49.9%) were most common, followed by inflammatory conditions (33.5%), soft tissue rheumatism (7%), metabolic bone disease (4.8%) and connective tissue diseases (2.5%). Rheumatoid arthritis (27.7%) was the most prevalent disease, followed by osteoarthritis of knees (26.2%) and lumber spines (23.4). Tendinitis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and systemic lupus erythematosus prevailed in 5.6%, 4.8%, 1.4% and 1.3% cases respectively. Common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (87.9%), hypertension (22.2%), ischaemic heart disease (12.4%), dyslipidaemia (10.1%), fatty liver (7.9%), chronic kidney disease (6.9%) and hypothyroidism (4.5%). Commonly prescribed medications were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (93%), disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (28.9%) and prednisolone (10.6%). Physiotherapy was required in 13.3% cases. In 56.6% cases various combination of treatment was required. In 12% patients receiving methotrexate, adverse effects occurred. Conclusion: Degenerative joint and spine diseases were more common but as an individual disease rheumatoid arthritis was the most prevalent condition.
From repeated games to Brownian games 1

The subject of this paper is related to the analysis of the convergence rate of the value of the n-times repeated zero-sum game with one sided information and full monitoring. Particularly, the ultimate aim of this work is the proof of the existence of an asymptotic expansion for this value vn : . As suggested in the conclusion of [6], the function ~ appearing in this expansion should be regarded as the value of a "continuously repeated" game. In this paper, we propose and analyze a game of this kind. In this game, the strategies are progressively measurable processes on the filtration generated by a Brownian motion and the payoff function is defined by use of the Ito-integral. Our main result is the proof of the existence of optimal strategies for both players in this game. @ Elsevier, Paris RESUME. L’ objet de cet article est lie a l’analyse de la vitesse de convergence de la valeur vn des jeux a somme nulle n fois repetes et a information incomplete d’un cote. Plus precisement, le but ultime de (1 ) This paper is a revised version of the third chapter of my Ph. D. thesis [3]. I am indebted to Professor J.-F. Mertens, my adviser, for many fruitful comments and discussions. My sincere thanks go to him. I also want to thank an anonymous referee for his very carefull reading and his many suggestions on the presentation of the paper. AMS classifications : 90020; 93E05; 35J60. Annales de l’Institut Henri Poincaré Probabilités et Statistiques 0246-0203 Vol. 35/99/0l/@ Elsevier, Paris