Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Location of a Free Boundary for American Options

We study the free boundary problem of the American type of options. We consider a continuous dividend paying put option and provide a much simpler way of approximating the option payoff and value. The essence of this study is to apply geometric techniques to approximate option values in the exercise boundary. This, being done with the nature of the exercise boundary in mind, more accurate results are guaranteed. We define a transformation (map) from a unit square to the free boundary. We then examine the transformation and its properties. We take a linear case for a transformation as well as a nonlinear case which would be more fitting for option values. We consider stochasticity (an Ito process) as we define this transformation and this yields better approximations for option values and payoffs. We also numerically compute optimal option prices by using the same transformation. We finally demonstrate that our transformation performs better than most semi-analytic results.
Wireless Chemical Sensor Networks for Air Q uality M onitoring

Air quality assessment and monitoring could be efficiently performed by a distributed network of cost effective chemical sensors cooperating for the reconstruction of a chemical image of the sensed environment. The obtainable insights are of paramount importance in many applications ranging from city air pollution monitoring to energy efficiency in smart buildings. However several research studies have highlighted the challenging nature of developing such architecture. Actually, the intrinsic properties of the sensed phenomena, those of the commercially available chemical sensors including power requirement and stability, together with the needed communication infrastructure make a real world implementation of such a system a problem worth of significant investigation efforts. This paper encompass the ENEA-UTTP efforts in providing solutions to several challenges both in indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring setups.
Probabilistic Entropy EMD Thresholding for Periodic Fault Signal Enhancement in Rotating Machine

Since the slight fault feature of incipient fault is usually polluted by heavy background noise, it is difficult to extract the weak feature signal in rotating machine. As an adaptive decomposing technique, empirical mode decomposition (EMD) based denoising methods have a good effect on the feature separation and noise elimination. However, for rotating machine with poor working environment, the components attributed to noise might have higher amplitudes, which restrict the efficiency of noise reduction in current EMD-based denoising methods. Therefore, a probabilistic entropy EMD thresholding algorithm for periodic fault signal enhancement in rotating machine is proposed in this paper. In this method, the entropy threshold of each IMF is constructed instead of the threshold applied to sampling points of each IMF directly, which overcomes the shortcoming of the denoising effect limited by larger amplitude noise reservation and smaller amplitude feature signal reduction in the current denoising methods. Meanwhile, in order to make the amplitudes of all the IMF reduce in a smooth way, a multiscale thresholding algorithm based on quantile statistics to provide probability indexes is presented. Engineering application demonstrates that the proposed method is effective in the noise reduction and fault feature enhancement in the rotating machine.
INVERTIBLE KNOT CONCORDANCES AND PRIME KNOTS

Abstract. Silver and Whitten proved that every knot in S 3 is in-vertibly concordant to a hyperbolic knot by a series of Nakanishi’sconstruction. We prove that every knot in S 3 is invertibly concor-dant to a nonhyperbolic prime knot by a simple one step satelliteconstruction. 1. IntroductionKirby and Lickorish [1] showed that every knot in S 3 is concordantto a prime knot, equivalently, every concordance class contains a primeknot. Generalizations appear in [3, 4, 5, 11]. Sumners [13] introducedthe notion of invertible concordance. Nakanishi [6] strengthened Kirbyand Lickorish’s result by showing that every knot in S 3 is invertiblyconcordant to a prime knot with the same Alexader polynomial. Silverand Whitten [10] proved that a hyperbolic knot can be constructed byNakanishi’s method.In contrast to this, we provide a one step method of satellite con-struction to show the following:Theorem 1.1. Every knot in S 3 is invertibly concordant to a nonhy-perbolic prime knot with the same Alexander polynomial by a one stepsatellite construction.
Comportamento ingestivo de borregos e borregas alimentados com duas cultivares de cana-de-açúcar

We evaluated the feeding behavior of lambs and ewe lambs Santa Inês fed two different cultivars of sugarcane in natura (IAC 86-2480 and SP 80-0155). 28 animals were distributed in a completely randomized design, housed in individual stalls. We used four treatments and two lots with seven lambs and two lots with seven ewe lambs receiving one of the varieties of sugarcane in natura as roughage. The experiment lasted 70 days, 10 days of adaptation and 60 days for data collection. The evaluations were performed every 5 minutes for 24 hours at intervals of 15 days, a total of four evaluations during the experiment. No significant difference to eating, ruminating and idle in minutes/day. The use of different cultivars of sugarcane (IAC 86-2480 and SP 80-0155) in natura as roughage source did not interfere in the daily intake activities, rumination and idleness.
Using Event Data Recorder (EDR) data to perform What-if simulations for safety benefit analysis by reconstructing real traffic kinematics and driver behaviors

As the focus of traffic safety stakeholders shifts from passive safety to active safety, the need to predictively evaluate safety systems in addition to identifying driver behaviour in critical situations has come to the forefront. Availability of a wide variety of data has opened up new research possibilities; real world crash data is increasingly accessible through Event Data Recorder (EDR) data, although little information is available about the context of the crash. Naturalistic Driving Data (NDD) addresses this issue by monitoring the driver and vehicle with the help of cameras and sensors. However, there is a lack of real world crashes associated with NDD. Therefore, the need to combine data sources to identify driver behaviour and estimate safety benefit has never been higher. In this study Counterfactual or ‘What-if’ simulations are performed with EDR data of real rear-end crashes and driver glance behaviours inspired from NDD to assess the impact of different driver glance behaviour on possible outcomes. The data was extracted from the National Automotive Sampling System-Crashworthiness Data System (NASS-CDS) database for use in the What-if simulations. Artificial kinematics or Counter factual kinematics was created by removing the evasive (braking) manoeuver. A glance anchor point (AP) based on literature was chosen. Two distributions (Baseline glance distribution, Reaction time distribution) and a deceleration value were applied to the kinematics at the AP. The Baseline Glance distribution which represented normal everyday driving was inspired from NDD. The reaction time distribution and deceleration value was created and chosen based on literature respectively. The application of the combination of distributions resulted in counter factual outcomes with two possibilities: Crash or No Crash. The Impact speeds of all the counter factual events that resulted in a Crash were calculated. Another batch of simulations was performed replacing the Baseline Glance distribution with the Rockwell glance distribution. The Rockwell glance distribution represented the glance durations associated with a well-known secondary task of tuning a radio. Results were compared between outcomes from Baseline Glance Distribution and Rockwell Glance distribution with the Original crash data as reference. The results showed that the Baseline Glance distribution had lower percentage of crashes when compared to the Rockwell glance distribution. The impact speeds associated with the Rockwell glance distribution were much higher than the Baseline. However, the impact speeds resulting from both distributions were much lower compared to the impact speeds associated with the original crashes which clearly indicated the high severity of the original crashes. The methodology and results from this study provide the necessary framework to evaluate the benefit of rear end collision avoidance safety systems. Also, a basis for understanding driver behaviour prior to critical situations is provided.
Diffusion of Green Technology: A Survey

This paper surveys the existing literature on diffusion of environmentally beneficial technology. Overall, it confirms many of the lessons of the larger literature on technology diffusion: diffusion often appears slow when viewed from the outside; the flow of information is an important factor in the diffusion process; networks and organisations can matter; behavioural factors such as values and cognitive biases also play a role. With respect to policy instruments, there is some evidence that the flexibility of market-based instruments can have a beneficial impact on technology diffusion, but there are also numerous cases in which regulations have forced the adoption of new technologies. There would be significant benefit to increased investment in studies that look at questions such as the role of information provision, networks and framing issues in households’ and firms’ adoption decisions.
Original paper The effect of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty on left atrial systolic functions

Background: Conventional echocardiographic methods have already shown that successful mitral balloon valvuloplasty (MBV) can effectively increase left atrial (LA) functions. Aim: To evaluate LA functions after MBV using colour tissue Doppler imaging. Material and methods: Sixty-eight patients (58 females, mean age: 38 ±12 years) were included in the study. Within 24 h before MBV, all the patients underwent colour tissue Doppler study in addition to routine conventional echocardiographic examinations. Late diastolic velocities (A’) measured at the LA wall adjacent to the septal and lateral annuli were recorded. All the measurements were repeated 24 h after MBV. The MBV was done using the Inoue technique. Successful MBV patients were included in group A and those who developed severe mitral regurgitation (MR) were included in group B. Results: Sixty-one patients underwent successful MBV while 7 developed MR. Mitral valve areas (MVA) in both groups were significantly increased. Maximum and mean gradients, LA diameter, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure and mean LA pressures were decreased while septal and lateral A’ were significantly increased in group A. In group B, no significant change in any variable was found except for the increase in MVA. Conclusions: After successful MBV, increase in A’ velocity was seen in parallel to the recovery of LA functions. Early improvements in left atrial systolic functions after successful MBV can easily be determined by colour tissue Doppler as a quick and reliable method.
The GED4GEM project: development of a Global Exposure Database for the Global Earthquake Model initiative

In order to quantify earthquake risk of any selected region or a country of the world within the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) framework (www.globalquakemodel.org/), a systematic compilation of building inventory and population exposure is indispensable. Through the consortium of leading institutions and by engaging the domain-experts from multiple countries, the GED4GEM project has been working towards the development of a first comprehensive publicly available Global Exposure Database (GED). This geospatial exposure database will eventually facilitate global earthquake risk and loss estimation through GEM’s OpenQuake platform. This paper provides an overview of the GED concepts, aims, datasets, and inference methodology, as well as the current implementation scheme, status and way forward.
Effect of L-Carnitine Supplementation on Growth Performance and Carcass Composition of Caspian Roach (Rutilus rutilus Caspicus)

An experiment was conducted on Caspian roach (Rutilus rutilus caspicus) juveniles to investigate the effect of dietary L-carnitine supplementation on growth performance and carcass composition. A total of 120 fish (14.82±2.10 g) were randomly distributed on 12 aquaria (10 fish/aquarium) and fed on either control diet as well as control diet supplemented with 500, 1000 and 2000 mg L-carnitine/kg diet, over a 70-day period. Results showed there were no significant changes in weight gain, weight gain percentage, SGR, condition factor and carcass ash content (P>0.05). However, fish fed on 2000 mg L-carnitine/kg diet showed significantly higher lipid carcass content compared to the other treatments (P < 0.05). Likewise, this group showed the lower protein content compared to the control group (P<0.05). Results suggested that although dietary L-carnitine had no significant effects on growth performance, which might be as a result of its endogenous sufficient synthesis, however it significantly affected carcass chemical quality.
Chlorhexidine incorporated into the prosthesis as a treatment strategy for denture stomatitis

Objective: to perform a literature review on the denture stomatitis (DS) treatment, in order to propose the incorporation of chlorhexidine into the denture as a treatment strategy for DS. Material and Methods: an advanced search was undertaken in MEDLINE/PubMed baseline from 1976 to 2016. Sixty-five papers were retrieved using the following keywords: chlorhexidine, denture stomatitis, denture relining. Of those, 35 papers were directly related to the subject and were therefore selected for a narrative review. Results: DS is an inflammatory reaction of multifactorial etiology, usually associated with Candida albicans and often observed in complete denture wearers. Most treatments rely on patient cooperation. Chlorhexidine (CHX) has antifungal activity and can be incorporated into denture lining materials without causing significant alterations in denture resin structure and without depending on patient compliance. Conclusion: according to the results of in vitro studies, CHX released from denture relining materials may be convenient to reduce denture biofilms and treat DS, but further in vivo studies are necessary to recommend clinical use.
Linking Cover Crop C Sequestration to Microbial Community Function within Soil Microenvironments

The global objective of this project is to elucidate how the interrelationships between cover cropC input, soil microenvironments, and microbial community structure and function control C sequestration in cover crop systems across a gradient of nutrient treatments. To address this objective, we conducted a field study in three long-term (13 years) maize (Zea mays L.) ‐tomato (Lycopersicon esculetum) cropping systems that differed in nutrient input treatments: conventional (synthetic fertilizer only), low-input (alternating synthetic fertilizer and cover crop) and organic (cover crop and organic amendments). In each cropping system, Vicia dasycarpa (hairy vetch) was grown and 13 CO 2 -labeled at regular intervals during the 2006 cover crop growing season. At the time of incorporation, 13 C-labeled aboveground biomass was manually incorporated into unlabeled belowground biomass, and vice versa. Soil samples collected across the subsequent maize-growing season were analyzed to study, first, the decomposition dynamics of the aboveground versus belowground biomass, and second, to link the decomposition processes to microbial activity within specific soil microenvironments. Results from the decomposition study showed more rapid decomposition of belowground compared to aboveground cover crop biomass across the three cropping systems. Decomposition of belowground biomass did not differ at the beginning of the growing season; however, by the 3 rd sampling period, incorporation of belowground biomass was greatest in the organic system (850.0 kg C new ha -1 ), with the low-input rotation (494.1 kg C new ha -1 ) showing nominally intermediate, but similar decomposition dynamics to the conventional system, where incorporation was the lowest (322.4 kg C new ha -1 ). Trends in aboveground residue decomposition were nearly the opposite to those of the belowground biomass decomposition in the organic system was lowest in the beginning and in the end of the season (117.5 kg C new ha -1 ), while incorporation of the aboveground residues into the conventional system was greatest at the 4 th (final) sampling period (348.9 kg C new ha -1 ). We successfully traced the assimilation of 13 C-labeled residue and belowground biomass into the phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) extracted from the microaggregate and silt-and-clay soil organic matter fractions, which were isolated from soils incorporated with either 13 C-labeled aboveground or belowground cover crop (soils from the decomposition study). The microbial community active in decomposing the aboveground residues was different from the community utilizing the belowground cover crop biomass. 13 C-PLFA profiles also revealed differences between the community structure associated with microaggregates, compared to the silt-and-clay
Fossil and non-fossil source contributions to atmospheric carbonaceous aerosols during extreme spring grassland fires in Eastern Europe

Abstract. In early spring the Baltic region is frequently affected by high-pollution events due to biomass burning in that area. Here we present a comprehensive study to investigate the impact of biomass/grass burning (BB) on the evolution and composition of aerosol in Preila, Lithuania, during springtime open fires. Non-refractory submicron particulate matter (NR-PM1) was measured by an Aerodyne aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM) and a source apportionment with the multilinear engine (ME-2) running the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was applied to the organic aerosol fraction to investigate the impact of biomass/grass burning. Satellite observations over regions of biomass burning activity supported the results and identification of air mass transport to the area of investigation. Sharp increases in biomass burning tracers, such as levoglucosan up to 683 ng m−3 and black carbon (BC) up to 17 µg m−3 were observed during this period. A further separation between fossil and non-fossil primary and secondary contributions was obtained by coupling ACSM PMF results and radiocarbon (14C) measurements of the elemental (EC) and organic (OC) carbon fractions. Non-fossil organic carbon (OCnf) was the dominant fraction of PM1, with the primary (POCnf) and secondary (SOCnf) fractions contributing 26–44 % and 13–23 % to the total carbon (TC), respectively. 5–8 % of the TC had a primary fossil origin (POCf), whereas the contribution of fossil secondary organic carbon (SOCf) was 4–13 %. Non-fossil EC (ECnf) and fossil EC (ECf) ranged from 13–24 and 7–13 %, respectively. Isotope ratios of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were used to distinguish aerosol particles associated with solid and liquid fossil fuel burning.
Factors Influence the Potential Drug Interaction Occurence among Hospitalized Patients with Cronic Kidney Disease at Labuang Baji Hospital Makassar

Drug interactions (DIs) is one category of drugs related problems that may affect the clinical outcome of patients. Individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often require multiple classes of drugs being at important risk for the development of DIs.The objective ot this study was to determine the factors that influence to potential of drug interaction occurence in patients with CKD at Labuang BajiHospital Makassar. A crosssectional study was conducted in April and May 2015. Number of sample was 82 medical records. The sample was selected by using a proportioned stratified sampling. The drug interaction was confirmed in the website http://www. drugs.com, Tatro Drug Interaction Fact, and Stockley's Drug Interactions. To determine the correlation between dependent and independent variables, Spearman’s bivariate correlation (for, age, complication, number of drugs used, and lenght of stay) and Mann-Whitney’s Comparative Test (for sex) were used. Results of analysis with Spearman Rho test found the three factors that influence to thepotential of drug interaction occurence were the number of drugs used (p = 0.000 ; r = 0.60) complications (p = 0.001 ; r = 0.356), and lenght of stay (p = 0.000 ; r = 0.405). This study conclusion that number of drugs used were risk factors strongly influence to the potential drug interaction occurence.
The Effect of Mother’s Training via Newsletter and Group Discussion on The Energy Intake of Preschool Children

Background and Aim: Mothers’ training about suitable nutritional models plays an important role in the development of children’s nutritional habits. These habits may continue into adulthood and promote the individual’s lifestyle. In the present study, we aimed to compare the effects of mother’s training via newsletter and discussion group on energy intake of preschool children. Methods: This experimental study was performed on 192 mothers of preschool children. The convenience method of sampling was employed, and the subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: group discussion, newsletter, and control group. In the newsletter group, the subjects received newsletters over 4 weeks. In the discussion group, subjects were trained about the same educational content, as the newsletter group, in 1-hour classes for a total of 4 weeks; the control group received no intervention. Data collection was carried out before, immediately, and one month after the interventions, using questionnaires to measure maternal knowledge and children's dietary intake. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 with ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Friedman tests. Results: Energy intake was similar before intervention in three groups. Immediately after intervention, no significant difference was observed between newsletter (5.7±2.10) and discussion group (0.8±2.10); however, it was significantly higher, compared to the control group (P=0.015). After one month follow-up, no significant difference was observed between newsletter (5.7±2.10) and discussion group; but the energy intake in both groups was significantly higher than the control group (p=0.003). Conclusion: The study results showed that training via newsletters and group discussion has the same effect on children’s energy intake. Therefore, it is recommended to use newsletter as an effective and simple alternative educational method
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF THE SPORT SERVICES ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE ( EPOD 2 )

Nowadays the assessment of Sport Services is one of the most studied facts due to the need to understand the users’ behaviour and for the use of the information that the organizations obtain through this type of research. There are different measuring instruments but they have several limitations. The aim Rev.int.med.cienc. act. fís. deportevol. 13 número 51 ISSN: 1577-0354 420 of this study is to validate an instrument and verify its reliability as a means of assessment of the services provided by the different sport organizations. To do this a questionnaire was made, composed of three areas: perceived quality, satisfaction, and perceived value. A statistical analysis, an exploratory factor analysis, and a confirmatory factor analysis were performed on the items and the validity was determined. The results were embodied in a final questionnaire consisting of eight dimensions and 25 items, able to assess the perceived quality, satisfaction and perceived value of the service provided by the sport organizations.