Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling of Posting Behavior in Social Media

The aim of the research is a modeling of online social networks (OSNs) users posting behavior. The research is based on the data retrieved from two most popular Russian-speaking OSNs – Vkontakte and Odnoklassniki. The article explores the distribution of the users, their posts, friends, and groups. To check the common hypothesis that content creators are also the main channel of information propagation, we have applied Kohonen maps. Users clustering allowed identifying the types of their posting behavior; in particular, we distinguished “writers” from “propagators” and “readers”. The research has shown that the cluster of “writers” was the smallest in both OSNs; however, these users generated the main content. Next in number was a cluster of “propagators”, contained users with the largest number of reposts. Among those who are actively interested on a given topic, the most numerous group was “readers”, however, the absolute majority of users stayed “indifferent”; they could be considered as a potential audience. Obtained results can be used for Green Technologies promoting in society enforcing their wide implementing.
Myocardial infarction detection using wavelet analysis of ECG signal

The new method of ECG signal segmentation and feature extraction is developed and tested with the use of SVM classification method in this paper. The algorithm based on discrete wavelet transformation and several new steps of beat extraction is proposed in this paper. We found out that the most part of algorithms is not easy to understand and realize. During the developing we made each step of algorithm clear and valid, so anyone can realize it when it needs. The output of preprocessing method is common standard segment, which accumulate all information from ECG signal and, in fact, this segment is the trend line of cardiac cycle in ECG signal. The feature extraction method based on cross wavelet transformation is used in this paper. Cross wavelet spectrum and wavelet coherence are two characteristics which are used for feature extraction. Classification method based on Support Vector Machine and several different transformation kernels is used and sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for each algorithm is calculated. The best result is 0.87, 0.8481 and 0.8603 for sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, respectively.
Carbon Sequestration by Smectite Clay Minerals in Soils

Molecular simulations can be used to explore fundamental interactions that govern the formation of organo-mineral complexes in soils, complexes that in turn control the size and turnover of soil carbon pools. A suitable model organic molecule, featuring properties and behavior typical of the recalcitrant portion of soil carbon in humic substances, is needed for these simulations. The latest iteration of the Schulten model of dissolved organic matter (DOM) was simulated under both dry and hydrated conditions, and as a Na- or Ca-saturated complex, using the COMPASS force field with energy minimization and molecular dynamics algorithms. This relatively large molecule (10,419.3 Da) possesses a flexible, porous structure and a distribution of functional groups appropriate to humic substances. Simulation results for the model humic systems included such diverse molecular-scale information as an infrared spectrum, an analysis of the position of polar groups relative to the center of the molecule, an accounting of intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds, porosity, and cation-oxygen coordination numbers, as well as dynamic and structural cation behavior. The results indicated that the DOM molecule mimics the behavior of natural humic substances under a variety of conditions investigated and, therefore, may be suitable for use in simulations of organo-mineral complexes. Simulations of the protonated DOM molecule and its Ca-saturated complex within hydrated Ca-montmorillonite interlayers indicated that the flexibility and polarity of the organic molecule affects the interlayer environment. The protonated DOM molecule forms hydrogen bonds and engages in hydrophobic interactions with the mineral surface. Some organic hydroxyl oxygens also are attracted to cavity sites on the clay surface. The Ca-saturated complex disrupts hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, but forms cation and water bridges with the mineral surface. Our simulations suggest that application of calcium to soils containing smectites may encourage sequestration and carbon storage.
Deep Learning for Edge Detection

Deep learning and deep belief networks (DBNs) are one of the most used topics in machine learning and pattern recognition area in recent years. DBNs consist of stacked Restricted Boltzmann Machine (RBM) structure. RBM is energy based stochastic neural networks. DBNs have many hidden layers and it is optimized after fine-tuning process with Autoencoder (AE) architecture. AE transforms input space to new space. Edge detection is also one of the important issues in machine vision. It is generally done with gradient or Laplacian methods. Some of classical techniques, used in the literature, are canny, differential, sobel, prewitt, roberts or fuzzy logic methods. In this paper, we propose deep learning based edge detection method. Some hidden features is discovered with suitable DBNs architecture. In order to evaluate the performance of presented method we use handwritten character images from MNIST data set. Experimental results show that our approach improves the performance of edge detection process.
Ab initio calculations of the structure and dynamics of C60 and C60 3

A local-density-functional cluster method is used to calculate the structure and vibrational modes of C60. We find C–C lengths in good agreement with observed values. The effect of doping the molecule with three extra electrons is investigated and shown to result in a surprising shortening of the longer bonds. The second derivatives of the energy are evaluated and have enabled, for the first time, all the normal modes of the molecule to be found. We find these to be in fair agreement with the available experimental results.
Research on Attribute Based Encryption Schemes and Its Advanced Functions

In this paper, we summarize the basic schemes of attribute based encryption and analyze the differences and relationships of their structures. Further, we point how to add new functions to these basic ABE schemes, such that new functions can be combined into basic algorithms. Then we introduce and analyze some existing ABE schemes with functions of hidden policy, multi-authority, and traitor tracing. We analyze the characteristic of these schemes and show their embedded methods in detail.
‘Not everybody walks around and thinks “That’s an example of othering or stigmatisation”’: Identity, pedagogic rights and the acquisition of undergraduate sociology-based social science knowledge

This article places itself in conversation with literature about how the experience and outcomes of university education are structured by intersections between social class, ethnicity, gender, age and type of university attended. It addresses undergraduate students’ acquisition of sociological knowledge in four diverse university settings. Basil Bernstein’s concepts of pedagogic identity, pedagogic rights, classification and framing are employed to analyse curriculum and interviews with 31 students over the period of their undergraduate degree. The nature of a sociology-based disciplinary identity is described and illustrated, and it is shown how the formation of this identity gives access to pedagogic rights and the acquisition of valuable capabilities. Addressing the question of whether pedagogic rights are distributed unequally in a stratified university system, it was found that they were not distributed, as might be expected, according to institutional hierarchy. It is argued that the acquisition of university sociological knowledge can disrupt social inequality.
Testing for Parameter Instability across Different Modeling Frameworks

We develop a new parameter instability test that generalizes the seminal ARCH-Lagrange Multiplier test of Engle (1982) for a constant variance against the alternative of autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity to settings with nonlinear time-varying parameters and non-Gaussian distributions. We investigate the performance of the new test relative to both classic and recently proposed parameter instability tests, including tests against structural breaks and parameter-driven dynamics. We find that the recent test of Muller and Petalas (2010) performs best across a wide range of alternatives, particularly if parameter instability is slow. For time-varying parameters that exhibit more mean reversion, our new test has higher power. We provide an application to a heavily unbalanced panel of losses given default for US corporations from 1982 to 2010 and provide evidence of significant parameter instability in the parameters of a static beta distributed model.
Observation of aerosol size distribution and new particle formation at a mountain site in subtropical Hong Kong

Abstract. In order to investigate the formation and growth processes of nucleation mode particles, and to quantify the particle number (PN) concentration and size distributions in Hong Kong, an intensive field measurement was conducted from 25 October to 29 November in 2010 near the mountain summit of Tai Mo Shan, a suburban site approximately the geographical centre of the New Territories in Hong Kong. Based on observations of the particle size distribution, new particle formation (NPF) events were found on 12 out of 35 days with the estimated formation rate J 5.5 from 0.97 to 10.2 cm −3 s −1 , and the average growth rates from 1.5 to 8.4 nm h −1 . The events usually began at 10:00–11:00 LT characterized by the occurrence of a nucleation mode with a peak diameter of 6–10 nm. Solar radiation, wind speed, sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and ozone (O 3 ) concentrations were on average higher, whereas temperature, relative humidity and daytime nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) concentration were lower on NPF days than on non-NPF days. Back trajectory analysis suggested that in majority of the NPF event days, the air masses originated from the northwest to northeast directions. The concentrations of gaseous sulfuric acid (SA) showed good power-law relationship with formation rates, with exponents ranging from 1 to 2. The result suggests that the cluster activation theory and kinetic nucleation could potentially explain the observed NPF events in this mountainous atmosphere of Hong Kong. Meanwhile, in these NPF events, the contribution of sulfuric acid vapor to particle growth rate (GR 5.5–25 ) ranged from 9.2 to 52.5% with an average of 26%. Measurement-based calculated oxidation rates of monoterpenes (i.e. α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene and limonene) by O 3 positively correlated with the GR 5.5–25 ( R = 0.80, p J 5.5 and the growth rate GR 5.5–25 with gaseous sulfuric acid and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) suggested the critical roles of sulfuric acid and biogenic VOCs (e.g. α-pinene and β-pinene) in these NPF events.
Minority ethnic men in British labour market (1972‐2005)

Purpose – This paper seeks to investigate ethnic disadvantages in the UK labour market in the last three decades. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on data from the most authoritative government surveys, the gross and net differences in employment status and class position between minority ethnic and White British men covering 34 years (1972‐2005) are analysed.Findings – White British and White Other men were generally advantaged in employment and in access to professional and managerial (salariat) jobs. White Irish men were making steady progress, and have now caught up with the White British. Black men were much more likely to be unemployed in recession years but progress is discernible with Black Caribbeans approaching, and Black Africans frequently outperforming, the White British in gaining access to the salariat. Indian and Chinese men were behind the White British in employment but little different in access to the salariat. Pakistani/Bangladeshi men were most disadvantaged in both respects.Ori.
Cornflakes, well-being and cognition

The aim of the present study was to investigate possible short and longer term benefits of having cornflakes for breakfast. One hundred volunteers were assigned to either the cornflakes condition or “no breakfast” condition for 14 days. At the start and end of the study volunteers came into the laboratory and rated their mood and carried out performance tests. The volunteers then had cornflakes or nothing before completing the tests again. Volunteers continued to consume the cornflakes or nothing throughout the study and rated their health and well-being by completing questionnaires every 7 days. The results showed that the acute effects of consumption of cornflakes were a more positive mood and better recall of a list of words. The cornflakes group were 12.3% more alert than the no breakfast group. The weekly questionnaires also revealed longer term benefits of consuming cornflakes. Those consuming cornflakes reported they felt more rested after sleep, had less constipation, less emotional distress, fewer cognitive difficulties (problems of memory and attention), fewer symptoms and a more positive mood. These effects were apparent for both weeks.
Does the WTO Government Procurement Agreement Deliver What It Promises?

Abstract We examine the impact of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) on government procurement practices in the European Union (EU). We analyse empirically whether the WTO GPA is effective in promoting non-discriminatory, open, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective government procurement. To study this question, we use a unique data set recently released by the EU, covering more than three million tenders conducted in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Macedonia during the years 2006–2016. We find that the WTO GPA promotes competition by increasing the probability of awarding a contract to a foreign firm. In addition, the WTO GPA significantly lowers corruption risk by decreasing the number of contracts with single bidders, and by decreasing total number of wins by a single firm. Finally, the WTO GPA fosters cost-effective public procurement by lowering the probability that the procurement price is higher than estimated cost.
Lineage Divergence in Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), Detected by a New Set of Nuclear Microsatellite Loci

Abstract We developed a suite of tetranucleotide microsatellite loci and applied them to a study of genetic variation across the geographic range of coast redwood [Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl. ]. The objectives of the study were to determine if the microsatellite loci could provide useful information on genetic diversity in this hexaploid species and to investigate earlier reports of divergent lineages within coast redwood. The microsatellite loci were highly variable, yielding a total of 142 alleles. Up to six alleles were detected in each individual consistent with the ploidy of coast redwood and suggesting that parental genomes must have been at least partially homologous. This does not rule out autoployploidy in the evolution of the redwood genome. We treated the microsatellite alleles as presence-absence data and we also estimated full genotypes assuming peak intensities varied with allele dosage. Both types of analyses revealed similar trends. Variation within the 17 watersheds sampled, explained most of the genetic diversity, with less than 4% of the variation attributable to watersheds. Our data showed a weak divergence between more or less continuous populations north of 36.8°N (the Sonoma- Mendocino county border) and disjunct populations south of this latitude. This is further north than indicated from earlier studies of marker systems that would be under selection and may reflect a demographic break. In view of the importance of clonal growth, we suggest that redwood may have difficulty adapting to new climatic conditions or of migrating into displaced habitats with anticipated climate change. Furthermore, the southern lineage of populations is likely to be at greatest risk and is therefore of conservation priority.
UDK 619:616.98:579.25 INVESTIGATION OF THE RESISTANCE GENE PRESENCE IN PLASMIDS ISOLATED FROM E. COLI AND SALMONELLA STRAINS ORIGINATING FROM DOMESTIC ANIMALS BY THE METHOD OF PLASMID DNA TRANSFORMATION INTO COMPETENT CELLS

The investigation of the presence of plasmids was performed on E. coli and Salmonella strains, originating from dogs, cats, cattle, pigs and poultry. The investigated bacterial strains were isolated from ear and skin swabs, vaginal swabs, faeces and urine, obtained from healthy and diseased animals of various age and breed categories. Up to now 45 E. coli and 35 Salmonella strains have been isolated, but the presence of plasmids was investigated in 42 strains of bacteria resistant to at least 3 or more antibiotics (23 E.coli and 4 Salmonella strains). The plasmids were isolated from 2 E. coli strains originating from dogs, 4 E. coli strains originating from cattle, 2 E.coli strains originating from pigs, 1 E. coli strain originating from a cat and 2 Salmonella strains originating from poultry. The obtained approximate size values of isolated plasmids from investigated strains, expressed in base pairs were from 2,4 kb to 17,5 kb. After the transformation process was completed and the E. coli DH 5 transformants streaking was done on LB agar with added antibiotics, the visible growth of transformed bacteria meant that the competent cells have received DNA (plasmid) with the resistance gene for the antibiotic. Lack of growth in transformants meant that the resistance gene was to be found on the chromosome.
X-ray wind tomography of the highly absorbed HMXB IGR J17252-3616

Context. About ten persistently highly absorbed super-giant high-mass X-ray binaries (sgHMXB) have been discovered by INTEGRAL as bright hard X-ray sources lacking bright X-ray counterparts. Besides IGR J16318-4848, which has peculiar characteristics, the other members of this family share many properties with the classical wind-fed sgHMXB systems. Aims. Our goal is to understand the characteristics of highly absorbed sgHMXB and in particular the companion stellar wind, which is thought to be responsible for the strong absorption. Methods. We monitored IGR J17252–3616, a highly absorbed system featuring eclipses, with XMM-Newton to study the variability of the column density and the Fe Kα emission line along the orbit and during the eclipses. We also compiled a 3D model of the stellar wind to reproduce the observed variability. Results. We first derive a refined orbital solution based on INTEGRAL,RXTE ,a ndXMM-Newton data. We find that the XMM-Newton monitoring campaign reveals significant variations in the intrinsic absorbing column density along the orbit and the Fe Kα line equivalent width around the eclipse. The origin of the soft X-ray absorption is associated with a dense and extended hydrodynamical tail, trailing the neutron star. This structure extends along most of the orbit, indicating that the stellar wind has been strongly disrupted. The variability of the absorbing column density suggests that the wind velocity is smaller (υ∞ ≈ 400 km s −1 ) than observed in classical systems. This may also explain the much stronger density perturbation inferred from the observations. Most of the Fe Kα emission is generated in the innermost region of the hydrodynamical tail. This region, which extends over a few accretion radii, is ionized and does not contribute to the soft X-ray absorption. Conclusions. We present a qualitative model of the stellar wind of IGR J17252–3616 that can represent the observations, and we suggest that highly absorbed systems have lower wind velocities than classical sgHMXB. This proposal could be tested with detailed numerical simulations and high-resolution infrared/optical observations. If confirmed, it may turn out that half of the persistent sgHMXB have low stellar wind speeds.
A transferable neural network for Hex

Abstract. The game of Hex can be played on multiple boardsizes. Transferring neural net knowledge learned on one boardsize to other boardsizes is of interest, since deep neural nets usually require large size of high quality data to train, whereas expert games can be unavailable or difficult to generate. In this paper we investigate neural transfer learning in Hex. We show that when only boardsize independent neurons are used, the resulting neural net obtained from training on one base boardsize can effectively generalize — without fine-tuning — to multiple target boardsizes, larger or smaller. When transferring to larger boardsizes, fine-tuning provides faster learning and better performance. The strength of the transferable network can be amplified with search: with a single neural net model trained on games from a base boardsize, we obtain players stronger than MoHex 2.0 on multiple target boardsizes.
Enhancement of Solubility and Dissolution Rate of Escitalopram Oxalate by Liquisolid Compact Technology

The solubility and dissolution properties of any drug are vital determinants of its oral bioavailability. The dissolution rate of poorly soluble, highly permeable (BCS-II) drugs, such as Escitalopram oxalate, can be improved by application of the liquisolid (LS) technique. Liquisolid Compacts is defined as liquid medications such as solutions or suspensions of water insoluble drugs in appropriate nonvolatile liquid vehicles can be converted into suitably flowing and compressible powders by blending with particular powder excipients. Different liquisolid compacts of Escitalopram oxalate were prepared using a mathematical model for calculating required quantities of powder and liquid ingredients to produce an acceptably flowable and compressible admixture. Avicel PH 102, Aerosil 200 and sodium starch glycollate (SSG) were employed as carrier, coating material and disintegrant respectively. The prepared liquisolid systems were evaluated for their micromeritic properties, possible drug-excipients interactions by Infrared spectra (IR) analysis and for their tabletting properties. The release rates of liquisolid compacts were markedly higher compared with directly compressed tablets, due to increasing wetting properties and surface area of the drug. This study shows that the liquisolid technique is a promising alternative for improvement of the dissolution and oral bioavailability of water insoluble drugs.
Overleveraging, Financial Fragility and the Banking-Macro Link: Theory and Empirical Evidence

We investigate consequences of overleveraging and financial-sector stress on real economic activities. When banks become vulnerable, due to high leveraging, and there is a strong feedback between the real and the financial sector, a regime of high financial stress may arise. The vulnerability of the banking system in a high lever- age and a high-stress regime can, through macro feedback effects, result in unstable dynamics. To assess this question empirically, we employ a nonlinear, multi-regime vector autoregression approach (MRVAR), to explore the consequences of instabilities arising from regime dependent shocks. We analyze data on industrial production and the IMF Financial Stress Index. In order to assess how output is affected by the individual risk drivers making up the IMF index, we study eight economies - the U.S., Canada, Japan and the UK, and for the four largest euro-zone economies, namely, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain -, using Granger-causality and nonlinear impulse-response analysis. Our results strongly suggest that financial-sector stress, exerts a strong, nonlinear influence on economic activity, but that individual risk drivers affect economic activity rather differently across stress regimes and across countries.