Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel 3-Scroll Chua’s Attractor with One Saddle-Focus and Two Stable Node-Foci

With new three-segment piecewise-linearity in the classic Chua’s system, two new types of 2-scroll and 3-scroll Chua’s attractors are found in this paper. By changing the outer segment slope of the three-segment piecewise-linearity as positive, the new 2-scroll Chua’s attractor has emerged from one zero index-1 saddle-focus and two symmetric stable nonzero node-foci. In particular, by newly introducing a piecewise-linear control function, an improved Chua’s system only with one zero index-2 saddle-focus and two stable nonzero node-foci is constructed, from which a 3-scroll Chua’s attractor is converged. Some remarks for Chua’s nonlinearities and the generating chaotic attractors are discussed, and the stabilities at the three equilibrium points are then analyzed, upon which the emerging mechanisms of the novel 2-scroll and 3-scroll Chua’s attractors are explored in depth. Furthermore, an analog electronic circuit built with operational amplifier and analog multiplier is designed and hardware circuit experiments are measured to verify the numerical simulations. These novel 2-scroll and 3-scroll Chua’s attractors reported in this paper are completely different from the classic Chua’s attractors, which will enrich the dynamics of the classic Chua’s system.
Central Anomaly Magnetization High documentation of crustal accretion along the East Pacific Rise (9°55′–9°25′N)

Near‐bottom magnetic data collected along the crest of the East Pacific Rise between 9°55′ and 9°25′N identify the Central Anomaly Magnetization High (CAMH), a geomagnetic anomaly modulated by crustal accretionary processes over timescales of ∼104 years. A significant decrease in CAMH amplitude is observed along‐axis from north to south, with the steepest gradient between 9°42′ and 9°36′N. The source of this variation is neither a systematic change in geochemistry nor varying paleointensity at the time of lava eruption. Instead, magnetic moment models show that it can be accounted for by an observed ∼50% decrease in seismic Layer 2A thickness along‐axis. Layer 2A is assumed to be the extrusive volcanic layer, and we propose that this composes most of the magnetic source layer along the ridge axis. The 9°37′N overlapping spreading center (OSC) is located at the southern end of the steep CAMH gradient, and the 9°42′–9°36′N ridge segment is interpreted to be a transition zone in crustal accretion processes, with robust magmatism north of 9°42′N and relatively low magmatism at present south of 9°36′N. The 9°37′N OSC is also the only bathymetric discontinuity associated with a shift in the CAMH peak, which deviates ∼0.7 km to the west of the axial summit trough, indicating southward migration of the OSC. CAMH boundaries (defined from the maximum gradients) lie within or overlie the neovolcanic zone (NVZ) boundaries throughout our survey area, implying a systematic relationship between recent volcanic activity and CAMH source. Maximum flow distances and minimum lava dip angles are inferred on the basis of the lateral distance between the NVZ and CAMH boundaries. Lava dip angles average ∼14° toward the ridge axis, which agrees well with previous observations and offers a new method for estimating lava dip angles along fast spreading ridges where volcanic sequences are not exposed.
Important problem features for the promotion of onceptual understanding in introductory electronics

This article describes an investigation in which a set of problems, specifically designed to develop conceptual understanding in introductory Electronics, were used as a teaching and learning strategy in an active learning setting. Some of the suggested problems have similarities with those presented by concept inventories, in that they are designed to address common students’ misconceptions. The goal, however, is not to detect misconceptions, but rather to challenge students’ conceptual reasoning. The investigation setting, integrated in the project-based learning environment established at the Higher Education Polytechnic School of Águeda (University of Aveiro, Portugal) since 2001, was designed as a source of abundant data that included field notes, students' written responses to the open problems and interviews. Qualitative analysis was used to identify important problem features that seem to prompt conceptual reasoning, and to evaluate the approach. Although the setting and the learning environment are described in some detail, to set the scene and provide context for the issues being discussed, this article concentrates on the problems and their important features in the promotion of conceptual understanding. Examples of the various formats of problems used in the investigation are provided to better illustrate the discussion. Results of the analysis indicate that the use of such problems does seem to have a positive impact in the conceptual reasoning of the students. However, students also report a generalized feeling of insecurity, for every new problem presented an emotional challenge, as well as a challenge to their assumptions. The analysis also indicates that it is important to seek a proper balance between the qualitative and quantitative components of the problems suggested to the students. As a conclusion, the article will offer a summary of the most important problem features in the promotion of conceptual understanding, as far as the results of this investigation are concerned.
Diagnoses of Patients with Severe Subjective Health Complaints in Scandinavia: A Cross Sectional Study

Background. A diagnosis is the basis of medical action, the key to various social privileges and national sick leave statistics. The objectives of this study were to investigate which diagnoses general practitioners in Scandinavia give patients with severe subjective health complaints, and what kind of treatments they suggested. Methods. One hundred and twenty-six self-selected general practitioners in Scandinavia diagnosed nine patients, presented as video vignettes, in a cross-sectional study. The main outcome measures were primary, secondary, and tertiary diagnoses. Results. The nine patients got between 13 and 31 different primary diagnoses and a large variety of secondary and tertiary diagnoses. Fifty-eight percent of the general practitioners chose different primary and secondary diagnoses, indicating that they judged the patients to have multimorbid complaints. The most commonly recommended treatment was referral to a psychologist, a mix of psychological and physical treatments, or treatment by the general practitioner. Conclusion. Scandinavian general practitioners give a large variety of symptom diagnoses, mainly psychological and general and unspecified, to patients with severe subjective health complaints. Referral to a psychologist or a mix of psychological or physical treatments was most commonly suggested to treat the patients.
Depletion gels from dense soft colloids: Rheology and thermoreversible melting

Upon addition of small nonadsorbing linear polymers, colloidal glasses composed of large hard spheres melt and eventually revitrify into the so-called attractive glass regime. We show that, when replacing the hard spheres by star polymers representing model soft particles, a reentrant gel is formed. This is the result of compression and depletion of the stars due to the action of the osmotic pressure from the linear homopolymers. The viscoelastic properties of the soft dense gel were studied with emphasis on the shear-induced yielding process, which involved localized breaking of elements with a size of the order of the correlation length. Based on these results, a phenomenological attempt was made at describing the universal rheological features of colloid/nonadsorbing polymer mixtures of varying softness. The star gel was found to undergo thermoreversible melting, despite the fact that conventional hard-sphere depletion gels are invariant to heating. This phenomenon is attributed to the hybrid internal microstructure of the stars, akin to a dry-to-wet brush transition, and is characterized by slow kinetics, on the time scale of the osmotic gel formation process. These results may be useful in finding generic features in colloidal gelation, as well as in the molecular design of new soft composite materials.
Robust Control of Electrically Driven Robots in the Task Space

In this paper, a task-space controller for electric ally driven robot manipulators is developed using a robust control algorithm. The controller is designe d using voltage control strategy. Based on the nominal model of the robotic arm, the desired signa ls for motor currents are calculated and then the voltage control law is proposed based on the curren t errors and motor nominal electrical model. Uncertainties such as parametric uncertainties, ext ernal disturbances and also imperfect transformation are compensated in the control law. The case study is a two-link robot manipulator equipped by permanent magnet DC motors. Simulation results verify the satisfactory performance of the proposed controller in reducing the tracking error and overcoming uncertainties.
Selecting traits that explain species–environment relationships: a generalized linear mixed model approach

Question: Quantification of the effect of species traits on the assembly of communities is challenging from a statistical point of view. A key question is how species occurrence and abundance can be explained by the trait values of the species and the environmental values at the sites. Methods: Using a sites 9 species abundance table, a site 9 environment data table and a species 9 trait data table, we address the above question using a novel generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) approach. The GLMM overcomes problems of pseudo-replication and heteroscedastic variance by including sites and species as random factors. The method is equally applicable to presence –absence data as to count and multinomial data. We present a tiered forward selection approach for obtaining a parsimonious model and compare the results with alternative methods (the fourth corner method and RLQ ordination). Results: We illustrate the approach on a presence–absence version on two data sets. In the Dune Meadow data, species presence is parsimoniously explained by moisture and manure on the meadows in combination with seed mass and specific leaf area (SLA). In the Grazed Grassland data, species presence is parsimoniously explained by the grazing intensity and soil phosphorus in combination with the C:N ratio and flowering mode. Conclusions: Our GLMM approach can be used to identify which species traits and environmental variables best explain the species distribution, and which traits are significantly correlated with environmental variables. We argue that the method is better suited for providing an interpretable and predictive model than the fourth corner method and RLQ.
Divalent Cations Affect the Stability and Structure of Dad2p, a Subunit of the Candida Albicans Kinetochore Dam1 Complex

The heterodecameric Dam1 complex is involved in establishing and maintaining the connection between the kinetochore and the mitotic spindle during mitosis. Biochemical studies of the reconstituted complex have shed light upon how it interacts with microtubules. However, little information about the biochemical properties of the isolated subunits has been available. This report examines the stability and structure of Dad2p, one of the Dam1 complex subunits isolated from Candida albicans . By employing differential scanning fluorimetry, protease protection and hydrodynamic analyses, we show that Dad2p is specifically responsive to the presence of divalent cations. This observation may be important for understanding the dynamic structure and regulation of the Dam1 complex in fungal cells.
Towards Practical Model of Public Private Partnership (PPP) Implementation in E-Government in Jordan: Field Assessment*

Purpose: The main aim of this study is to evaluate the adoption of Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach in E-Government programs in Jordan which is considered a developing country, by evaluating the second stage of the three-stage model of PPP developed by (Al-Shqairat, 2009). Design/methodology/approach: A mixed quantitative and qualitative research approach was adopted. Qualitative data was collected using semi structured interviews with eleven IT managers working in public organizations. Quantitative data, on the other hand, was collected using a questionnaire designed and validated for the current study. A total of 109 questionnaires were distributed to participant working in 13 different public entities. These participants were also directly involved in Public Private Partnership projects in these entities. The response rate of 56.88% percent was adequate for accuracy and the results were useful and representative of the target population. The questionnaire data was analyzed using parametric statistics including mean analysis. Findings : The main findings of this study shows significant support for the proposed implementation stage. Furthermore, the survey and the interview analysis highlighted that the benefits and obstacles are more important than any other aspect of the implementation stage. Originality/ value : This study is one of the few studies that attempted to propose and validate an empirical model of PPP Implementation in E-Government projects that could be adopted by governments while planning for a successful PPP approach in implementing E-Government initiatives in specific or an ICT related projects. Keywords : Public Private Partnership (PPP) implementation; E-Government; Jordan; Public Sector, Private Sector, PPP forms, PPP mechanisms.
Did Monetary Forces Cause the Great Depression? A Bayesian VAR Analysis for the U.S. Economy

This paper recasts Temin's (1976) question of whether monetary forces caused the Great Depression in a modern time series framework. We evaluate the effects of monetary policy against nonmonetary alternatives in a Bayesian updating framework with time-varying parameters. The predictive power of monetary policy for output is very small for the early phase of the depression and breaks down almost entirely after 1931. During the propagation phase of 1930-31, monetary policy is able to forecast correctly at short time horizons put invariably predicts recovery at longer horizons. In contrast, nonmonetary leading indicators on residential construction and equipment investment have impressive predictive power. Recursive calculation of the impulse response functions exhibits remarkable structural instability and strong reactions to monetary regime changes during the depression, just as predicted by the Lucas (1976) critique.
Effects of intervention programs on changes in resting energy expenditure

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of two types of weight reducing programs on changes in resting energy expenditure (REE) in overweight middle aged women. We recruited 28 overweight or obese premenopausal women at the age of 40-50 years via poster advertisements, of which 6 of the women were withdrawn early. Participants were divided into 2 groups - D and DC. Women assigned to group D (n = 10) had only a diet regime prescribed, whereas group DC (n = 12) followed a combined diet and exercise intervention. The diet was identical for both groups and the daily energy restriction for each participant was approximately 2000 kJ. Group DC combined resistance training and aerobic exercise. Both programs ran for 6 weeks. At the beginning and end of the intervention REE values (measured by indirect calorimetry), REE/kg and selected anthropometric parameters: body weight, stature, BMI, waist, hips and thigh girth, and body fat percentage were monitored. In the combined intervention program the REE decrease was smaller than in the group with only an energy restricted diet. However, the REE and REE/kg changes detected at the end of the monitored period were not statistically signifi cant, and there was no significant statistical difference between the applied intervention programs. Apart from the thigh circumference, the two intervention programs did not show different effects of any statistical significance on the change of monitored anthropometric indices. However, for all the parameters monitored (REE as well as the anthropometric ones) we can see that energy restricted diet combined with exercise is more effective than diet alone. To affect the REE more markedly, prescription of physical exercise of longer duration, and of greater intensity and frequency would be necessary.
An Integrated Approach for Sustainable Supplier Selection in Fuzzy Environment

The term sustainability, which means maintaining a balance or acting responsibly for the future, has come into prominence in many fields. One of the most crucial practice is cooperating with convenient collaborators and composing effective supply chains in terms of social, economic and environmental considerations. Therefore, sustainable supplier selection is getting more and more important to compete in rapidly changing environment. To deal with sustainable supplier selection problem, this study aims to determine the selection of appropriate suppliers and allocation of orders to them. The proposed approach operates in three stages. In the first stage, Fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory is used to obtain the weights of the criteria from sustainability perspective. In the second stage, by using Fuzzy Grey Relational Analysis, a set of suppliers are ranked and their suitability scores are calculated. In the last stage, optimal order quantities to be procured by the suppliers are obtained via fuzzy linear programming including imprecise data of demand, error rate and capacity.
Forecasting tourist in-flow in South East Asia: A case of Singapore Previsão da afluência de turistas ao Sudeste Asiático: O caso de Singapura

This study attempts to forecast tourist inflow in South East Asia and choses Singapore as a case. For Singapore, tourism is one of the major sources of foreign exchange earnings since it has no natural resources to support its economy. Therefore, forecasting of tourist arrivals in the country becomes very important for the reason that the forecasting may help tourism related service industries (e.g. airlines, hotels, shopping malls, transporters and catering services, etc.) to plan and prepare their resources and activities in an optimal way. In this paper, seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) methodology was considered for making monthly predictions on tourist arrival in Singapore. The best model for forecasting is found out to be (1,0,1)(1,1,0)12 and monthly forecasting were obtained for two years in future. Further, various statistical tests (e.g. Dickey Fuller, KPSS, HEGY, Ljung-Box, Box-Pierce etc.) were applied on the time series for adequacy of best model to fit, residual autocorrelation analysis and for the accuracy of the prediction.
Formation and optical properties of cylindrical gold nanoshells on silica and titania nanorods

Metal-insulator core-shell structures have been demonstrated to have interesting and tunable optical properties. Systems previously investigated include silica-capped gold particles and gold shells surrounding silica particles. However, many of the systems studied so far have been spherical (or zero-dimensional). Thus, it would be of interest to look at the synthesis and optical properties of one-dimensional (i.e., rod-like) nanostructures. In this paper, the authors present and discuss the formation and properties of silica and titania nanorods encapsulated with a thin gold shell. Nanorods of silica and titania ~10 μm in length and with diameters ~ 90-200 nm are made by combining sol-gel electrophoresis with a suitable template. After removing the template at high temperature, the surface of the rods is re-hydrolyzed by heating in water. 3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane is reacted with the surface hydroxyl groups, self-assembling amine functionality on the surface of the rods. These groups act as anchoring sites for the gold, which forms a thin shell around the oxide nanorod. UV-vis absorbance spectra of these samples are analyzed to determine the relationships between shell thickness, core size, core material and properties.
SSOs: Current Policy Issues and Empirical Evidence

Despite the increasing importance of and huge growth in SSOs and the flurry of research on the economics of SSOs in the last decade, no comprehensive review of the literature exists. Such an undertaking is beyond the scope of this paper. Here, we address a more modest goal: a selective review focusing on current policy issues regarding SSOs and empirical evidence on the performance of SSOs. A key part of the analysis here focuses on what light the empirical work on SSOs can shed on SSO performance.
Quasi-Newton preconditioners for the inexact Newton method.

In this paper preconditioners for solving the linear systems of the Newton method in each nonlinear iteration are studied. In particular, we define a sequence of preconditioners built by means of Broyden-type rank-one updates. Optimality conditions are derived which guarantee that the preconditioned matrices are not far from the identity in a matrix norm. Some notes on the implementation of the corresponding inexact Newton method are given and some numerical results on two model problems illustrate the application of the proposed preconditioners.
Sex ratio and morphological characteristics of rufous gnateaters, Conopophaga lineata (Aves, Passeriformes) in Atlantic forest fragments

Unequal sex ratios lead to the loss of genetic variability, decreasing the viability of populations in the long term. Anthropogenic activities often disturb the natural habitats and can cause alterations in sex ratio and morphological characteristics of several species. Forest fragmentation is a major conservation concern, so that understanding its effects in natural populations is essential. In this study, we evaluated the sex ratio and the morphological characteristics of Rufous Gnateaters (Conopophaga lineata (Wied, 1831)) in small and large forest fragments in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Birds (n = 89) were sexed by plumage characteristics and molecular markers. The molecular analysis showed that plumage is not a totally reliable method for sexing Rufous Gnateaters. We observed that sex ratio did not differ between large and small forest fragments, but birds in small fragments had larger wings and tarsus. Wing and tarsus changes may affect the movement ability of individuals within and among forest fragments. In conclusion, Rufous Gnateaters have been able to survive in both small and large Atlantic rain forest fragments without altering their sex ratio, but morphological changes can be prejudicial to their long term survival.
A PHONETICALLY BALANCED MODIFIED RHYME TEST FOR EVALUATING CATALAN SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY

This work introduces a phonetically balanced modified rhyme test (MRT) for evaluating Catalan speech intelligibility. The proposal complies with the standard MRT restrictions, besides yielding phonetic balanced word ensembles so as to avoid biasing the test to scarcely representative phonemes. Hence, it allows testing the intelligibility of any communication system delivering Catalan speech by means of a unique phonetic meaningful comparison framework.