Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Influence of the High Oil Price Periods for Two Stock Market Returns: Empirical Study of the Thailand and the Philippine's Stock Markets

The empirical results show that the dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) and the bivariate IGARCH (1, 1) model is appropriate in evaluating the relationship of the Thailand and the Philippine’s stock markets under the oil price returns of the high oil price periods. The empirical result also indicates that the Thailand and the Philippine’s stock markets is a positive relation. The average estimation value of correlation coefficient equals to 0.334, which implies that the two stock markets is synchronized influence. Besides, the empirical result also shows that the Thailand’s and the Philippine’s stock markets do not have asymmetrical effects. The return volatility of the Thailand’s and Philippine’s stock markets do not receive the influence of the high oil price periods. The variation risks of the Thailand’s and the Philippine’s stock market returns do not receive the impact of the oil price return volatility rates’ square item. But the two stock markets do have the higher variation risks under the high oil price periods. Keywords-stock market return; oil price; asymmetric effect; bivariate IGARCH model
High-efficiency vertical-structure GaN-based light-emitting diodes on Si substrates

High-quality GaN-based light-emitting diode (LED) wafers have been grown on Si substrates by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition by designing epitaxial structures with AlN/Al0.24Ga0. 76N buffer layers and a three-dimensional (3D) GaN layer. The AlN/Al0.24Ga0. 76N buffer layers are directly grown on Si substrates to provide the large compressive stress to balance the tensile stress introduced during the cooling process, and the 3D GaN layer is grown on the Al0.24Ga0. 76N buffer layer to reduce the dislocation density of GaN epitaxial films. The as-grown GaN-based LED wafers exhibit very high crystalline quality with full-width at half-maximums for GaN(0002) and GaN(10−12) of 300 and 345 arcsec, respectively, and an internal quantum efficiency of ∼80.1%. Afterwards, the LED wafers are fabricated into vertical-structure LED chips with a size of 1 × 1 mm2 by the standard process. The as-prepared vertical-structure LED chips exhibited a light output power of 569 mW with a working voltage and a wall-plug efficiency of 2.82 V and 57.6%, respectively, at a current of 350 mA. These high-efficiency vertical-structure LED chips are expected to find a wide range of applications in solid-state lighting fields.
Labial Ankyloglossia Associated with Oligodontia: A Case Report

Developmental disturbances of the tongue (aglossia, macroglossia, microglossia, and ankyloglossia) can adversely affect the development of the surrounding structures including the palate, alveolar process, and teeth. These developmental disturbances impair functions such as mastication, speech, and swallowing. Ankyloglossia is of various types and may be associated with other syndromic features like cleft palate. We report a rare type of non-syndromic ankyloglossia associated with missing of the permanent anterior tooth.
The Anterior Interlay Myringoplasty: Outcome and Hearing Results in Anterior and Subtotal Tympanic Membrane Perforations

Objective To describe a new technique, anterior interlay myringoplasty, to secure the anterior edge of a graft in tympanic membrane perforations with an anterior component. Patients Consecutive patients undergoing anterior interlay myringoplasty were identified from the prospective otology database of the senior author. Intervention(s) A tympanomeatal flap is elevated from the posterior canal wall, the annulus is elevated, and the tympanic membrane (TM) dissected off the malleus handle. The anterior “pocket” is fashioned using the Hughes dissector to elevate the mucosa medially from the fibrous layer of the narrow anterior rim of the perforation leaving the anterior annulus undisturbed; the elevation of mucosa medially is continued into the Eustachian tube orifice, which is matched by the angulation of the Hughes. Releasing incisions are necessary through the mucosal layer allowing the posterior portion of the graft to lie as an underlay and secured between the TM and malleus handle. Main Outcome Measure(s) Primary outcomes of tympanic membrane perforation closure rates and hearing outcome averaged over frequency thresholds 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz at 12 months. Results One hundred sixteen patients were included for analysis, and 50 were pediatric cases. The overall tympanic membrane perforation closure rate in all cases was 91% (105/116) at outpatient appointments closest to 12 months and a mean hearing threshold improvement of 9.98 dB (SD 9.63, range 43.8 dB improvement to 20 dB loss) was seen. Conclusion The anterior interlay technique is a valuable method to achieve anterior support for a tympanic membrane graft and is associated with good closure rates and audiological outcomes.
Evolutionary allometry of the thoracolumbar centra in felids and bovids

Mammals have evolved a remarkable range of body sizes, yet their overall body plan remains unaltered. One challenge of evolutionary biology is to understand the mechanisms by which this size diversity is achieved, and how the mechanical challenges associated with changing body size are overcome. Despite the importance of the axial skeleton in body support and locomotion, and much interest in the allometry of the appendicular skeleton, little is known about vertebral allometry outside primates. This study compares evolutionary allometry of the thoracolumbar centra in two families of quadrupedal running mammals: Felidae and Bovidae. I test the hypothesis that, as size increases, the thoracolumbar region will resist increasing loads by becoming a) craniocaudally shorter, and b) larger in cross‐sectional area, particularly in the sagittal plane. Length, width, and height of the thoracolumbar centra of 23 felid and 34 bovid species were taken. Thoracic, prediaphragmatic, lumbar, and postdiaphragmatic lengths were calculated, and diameters were compared at three equivalent positions: the midthoracic, the diaphragmatic and the midlumbar vertebra. Allometric slopes were calculated using a reduced major axis regression, on both raw and independent contrasts data. Slopes and elevations were compared using an ANCOVA. As size increases the thoracolumbar centra become more robust, showing preferential reinforcement in the sagittal plane. There was less allometric shortening of the thoracic than the lumbar region, perhaps reflecting constraints due to its connection with the respiratory apparatus. The thoracic region was more robust in bovids than felids, whereas the lumbar region was longer and more robust in felids than bovids. Elongation of lumbar centra increases the outlever of sagittal bending at intervertebral joints, increasing the total pelvic displacement during dorsomobile running. Both locomotor specializations and functional regionalization of the axial skeleton appear to have influenced its response to increasing size. J. Morphol. 276:818–831, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NK cells require antigen‐specific memory CD4+ T cells to mediate superior effector functions during HSV‐2 recall responses in vitro

Natural killer (NK) cells have an important role in mounting protective innate responses against genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV‐2) infections. However their role as effectors in adaptive immune responses against HSV‐2 is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that NK cells from C57BL/6 mice in an ex vivo splenocyte culture produce significantly more interferon γ (IFN‐γ) upon re‐exposure to HSV‐2 antigens in a mouse model of genital HSV‐2 immunization. We find that naïve NK cells do not require any prior stimulation or priming to be activated to produce IFN‐γ. Our results demonstrate that HSV‐2–experienced CD4+ T cells have a crucial role in coordinating NK cell activation and that their presence during HSV‐2 antigen presentation is required to activate NK cells in this model of secondary immune response. We also examined the requirement of cell‐to‐cell contacts for both CD4+ T cells and NK cells. NK cells are dependent on direct interactions with other HSV‐2–experienced splenocytes, and CD4+ T cells need to be in close proximity to NK cells to activate them. This study revealed that NK cells do not exhibit any memory toward HSV‐2 antigens and, in fact, require specific interactions with HSV‐2–experienced CD4+ T cells to produce IFN‐γ
The diagnostic value of zinc transporter 8 autoantibody (ZnT8A) for type 1 diabetes in Chinese

Zinc transporter‐8 (ZnT8) was recently identified as a novel autoantigen in human type 1 diabetes (T1D). Autoantibody to ZnT8 (ZnT8A) was detected in up to 80% of patients with new‐onset T1D and 26% of patients with T1D otherwise classified as negative on the basis of existing markers. As no data of ZnT8A in Chinese have been reported, we aim to evaluate the utility of ZnT8A for diagnosis of autoimmune T1D in Chinese relative to other autoantibody markers.
Efficient region-based image retrieval

Region-based image retrieval(RBIR) was recently proposed as an extension of content-based image retrieval(CBIR). An RBIR system automatically segments images into a variable number of regions, and extracts for each region a set of features. Then, a dissimilarity function determines the distance between a database image and a set of reference regions. Unfortunately, the large evaluation costs of the dissimilarity function are restricting RBIR to relatively small databases. In this paper, we apply a multi-step approach to enable region-based techniques for large image collections. We provide cheap lower and upper bounding distance functions for a recently proposed dissimilarity measure. As our experiments show, these bounding functions are so tight, that we have to evaluate the expensive distance function for less than 0.5\%of the images. For a typical image database with more than 370,000images, our multi-step approach improved retrieval performance by a factor of more than5 compared to the currently fastest methods.
Survivability architecture of a mission critical system: the DPASA example

Many techniques and mechanisms exist today, some COTS, others less mature research products that can be used to deflect, detect, or even recover from specific types of cyber attacks. None of them individually is sufficient to provide an all around defense for a mission critical distributed system. A mission critical system must operate despite sustained attacks throughout the mission cycle, which in the case of military systems, can range from hours to days. A comprehensive survivability architecture, where individual security tools and defense mechanisms are used as building blocks, is required to achieve this level of survivability. We have recently designed a survivability architecture, which combined elements of protection, detection, and adaptive reaction; and applied it to a DoD information system. The resulting defense-enabled system was first evaluated internally, and then deployed for external Red Team exercise. In this paper we describe the survivability architecture of the system, and explain the rationale that motivated the design
Multiple Factor Analysis of the Autonomous Nervous System during PTCA

This study describes the autonomic nervous system (ANS) response before, during and after a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The study population consisted of 37 patients undergoing PTCA from Staff-3 Database. Classical heart rate variability (HRV) parameters: RR mean, SD, rMSSD, LF, HF, LF/HF and LF/(HF+LF) were extracted and a multiple factorial analysis (MFA) was carried out. Preliminary results show that sympathetic activity increases during and after PTCA, and global HRV decreases during PTCA and increases after PTCA. These findings suggest that MFA provides a powerful tool allowing assessment of ANS's response during PTCA
Hydrogen Peroxide Priming of the Venous Architecture: A New Technique That Reveals the Underlying Anatomical Basis for Venous Complications of DIEP, TRAM, and Other Abdominal Flaps

Background: Previous studies of venous anatomy lack the detail of their arterial counterparts because of (1) the technical challenge of retrograde perfusion against competent valves and (2) anterograde venous perfusion failing to adequately delineate the area of interest. We introduced a novel technique: retrograde hydrogen peroxide priming that dilates veins and renders valves incompetent, thereby facilitating complete cadaveric venous perfusion. Methods: The superficial and deep venous systems of 41 hemiabdomens and 20 hemichests of unembalmed human cadavers were primed by retrograde injection with 6% hydrogen peroxide. Specimens were then injected with lead oxide contrast, radiographed, and dissected. In five hemiabdomens, the valves were mapped by dissection. Results were compared with archival venous studies of six total body injections, six abdominal lipectomy specimens, and two intraoperative venograms of delayed transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps. Results: Unprecedented venous filling of the anterior torso was demonstrated. Two types of superficial-to-deep venous connections were defined: large venae communicantes and small venae comitantes. Venae communicantes (>2 mm) formed major connections between large superficial and deep veins, mostly within 5 cm of the umbilicus in the abdomen, the axilla and fifth or sixth intercostal space parasternally. Seventy-four percent of venae communicantes coursed with arteries greater than 1.0 mm. Four major longitudinal valved subcutaneous pathways of the superficial inferior epigastric vein and superficial circumflex iliac vein were defined bilaterally with large avalvular transverse connections in the midline and small-caliber connections laterally that explain venous complications seen sometimes in transverse abdominal flaps. Conclusion: Retrograde hydrogen peroxide priming of veins in cadavers renders valves incompetent and facilitates detailed venous studies that help refine flap design and explain venous complications.
Sheet Music-Audio Identification

In this paper, we introduce and discuss the task of sheet music-audio identification. Given a query consisting of a sequence of bars from a sheet music representation, the task is to find corresponding sections within an audio interpretation of the same piece. Two approaches are proposed: a semi-automatic approach using synchronization and a fully automatic approach using matching techniques. A workflow is described that allows for evaluating the matching approach using the results of the more reliable synchronization approach. This workflow makes it possible to handle even complex queries from orchestral scores. Furthermore, we present an evaluation procedure, where we investigate several matching parameters and tempo estimation strategies. Our experiments have been conducted on a dataset comprising pieces of various instrumentations and complexity.
The Effect of Spill Contaminants on Marine Biofilms and Microbially-Induced Corrosion of Carbon Steel

ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . iii DEDICATION . iv LIST OF TABLES . viii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xiii CHAPTER I – ALTERED BIOFILM COMMUNITIES AND CARBON STEEL METAL LOSS AS A RESULT OF EXPOSURE TO SPILL CONTAMINANTS . 1 1.
Biofilms and Cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) Signaling: Lessons from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Other Bacteria*

The cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) second messenger represents a signaling system that regulates many bacterial behaviors and is of key importance for driving the lifestyle switch between motile loner cells and biofilm formers. This review provides an up-to-date compendium of c-di-GMP pathways connected to biofilm formation, biofilm-associated motilities, and other functionalities in the ubiquitous and opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium is frequently adopted as a model organism to study bacterial biofilm formation. Importantly, its versatility and adaptation capabilities are linked with a broad range of complex regulatory networks, including a large set of genes involved in c-di-GMP biosynthesis, degradation, and transmission.
Delay statistics for selective repeat ARQ protocol in multi-rate wireless networks with non-instantaneous feedback

We analyze the delay statistics for the selective repeat ARQ (SR-ARQ) protocol in a multi-rate wireless network with non-instantaneous feedback. Multi-rate transmission is assumed to be achieved through adaptive modulation, where each transmission mode corresponds to one state of a finite state Markov channel (FSMC) model. The problem is formulated as a quasi-birth and death (QBD) process from which the exact delay statistics for the SR-ARQ protocol is obtained. Our model removes the weaknesses of using a two-state Markov channel such as its inaccuracy in predicting the delay performance for a wireless access, error control protocol and its inability to capture multi-rate transmission. We validate the analysis by simulations and present typical numerical results, which reveal the impacts of the channel and the system parameters on the performance of a multi-rate wireless network
Engineering optical properties using layered metamaterials

This thesis explores the concept of metamaterials; a fairly recent concept in the literature which has attracted the attention of researchers due to their abnormal electromagnetic properties. We will particularly consider one dimensional version of a metamaterial made of layers. At the first glance, layered metamaterials are simply multi-layer thin films. The distinguishing feature of layered metamaterials is that they usually incorporate metals whereas most thin film structures in the past have only incorporated dielectrics. The immense interest in certain layered configurations of metals and dielectrics, particularly when the thicknesses are really thin compared to the wavelength, is due to their exhibition of seemingly counter-intuitive or impossible properties such as refraction to the same side of normal (negative refraction), evanescent wave amplification, or light focusing with a flat interface (flat lensing). The simple configuration of layered metamaterials and their interesting properties are the prime motivations of this work. In this thesis, we first start with a very generic electromagnetic description of the optical properties of layered structures. This general description appears to be novel due to presenting theory in new form. We use this understanding to explain how and why certain layered structures can exhibit negative refraction or flat lensing. This investigation has also led to several new predictions of new optical properties of layered metamaterial structures. We conclude this work by various experimental studies which validate the predictions of the work and also explore fabrication challenges in the making of layered metamaterials.
New Directions in Consumer Behaviour Research

Consumer behaviour remains an evolving and fascinating area of research. In this article we highlight some of the current work by Canadian researchers in the areas of enhancing both the quality and application of consumer analysis. The work described below touches upon areas in which not just economic theory and methods, but also the policy process can be improved. The working papers cited here were all presented as part of the principal paper session, â€œWhatâ€™s Going on in Consumer Behaviour? â€ held at the joint meeting of the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society and the Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association in Halifax, Nova Scotia in June 2004.
NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

A manufacturing manager for a computer system gets authorization to hire individuals knowledgable in semiconductor design to interact with chip designers in their selection ofnew technologies. Marketing's product planners analyze an existing offering with manufacturing engineers to determine what should be done differently in the next generation. Representatives from manufacturing join marketing and design people in meeting with customers to explore new product concepts. These activities. which occur well before product concept formalization, are bits and pieces of the next step in organizing the front-end of the new product development (NPD) process. They signify manufacturing's entry into the opening stages of NPD to participate in issues having strategic consequences. Activities of this nature represent a missing link in crossfunctional integration. This study defines the underlying characteristics of manufacturing's integration into the front-end of new product development, and offers a set of guidelines for effective implementation of manufacturing's new role. It is based on interviews conducted in four of North America's largest multinational computer and telecommunications firms. What is relevant for these industries today may well be critical for others tomorrow. Interviews were
Assessment of breast lesions with diffusion-weighted MRI: comparing the use of different b values.

OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to study the utility of diffusion-weighted MRI in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions by assessing the best b values. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Forty-five women (mean age, 46.1 years) with 52 focal mass breast lesions underwent diffusion-weighted imaging with different b values. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of each lesion was calculated from the ADC maps done using five b values (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 s/mm(2)) and using b values of 0 s/mm(2) with each other b value separately (0 and 250 s/mm(2), 0 and 500 s/mm(2), 0 and 750 s/mm(2), 0 and 1,000 s/mm(2)). The mean ADC values were correlated with imaging findings and histopathologic diagnoses. The cutoff ADC value, sensitivity, and specificity of diffusion-weighted imaging to differentiate benign and malignant lesions were calculated in all b value combinations. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The mean ADC value was significantly lower for malignant lesions compared to benign lesions (p < 0.0001) in all b value combinations. No statistical difference was seen between the ADC obtained from different b value combinations (p = 0.2581) in the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions. The ADC calculated from b 0 and 750 s/mm(2) was slightly better than the other b value combinations, showing a sensitivity of 92.3% and a specificity of 96.2%. CONCLUSION Diffusion-weighted imaging is a potential resource as a coadjutant of MRI in the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions. Such imaging can be performed without a significant increase in examination time, especially because it can be done with lower b values.
Runtime visualisation of object oriented software

Software is inherently dynamic, yet much of the analysis and comprehension processes focus entirely on the static source code of the software. This paper looks at how software visualisation offers a way to aid comprehension by displaying both static and dynamic aspects of a piece of software. A new visualisation is presented with specific focus on a class level summary view.
Using complex networks for refining survival prognosis in prostate cancer patient

Complex network theory has been used, during the last decade, to understand the structures behind complex biological problems, yielding new knowledge in a large number of situations. Nevertheless, such knowledge has remained mostly qualitative. In this contribution, I show how information extracted from a network representation can be used in a quantitative way, to improve the score of a classification task. As a test bed, I consider a dataset corresponding to patients suffering from prostate cancer, and the task of successfully prognosing their survival. When information from a complex network representation is added on top of a simple classification model, the error is reduced from 27.9% to 23.8%. This confirms that network theory can be used to synthesize information that may not readily be accessible by standard data mining algorithms.