Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Blood CD4 Count and Antibiogram Profile of Bacteria Isolated from HIV Patients

In this study, the blood CD4 count and the bacterial profile in the stool of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive individuals attending Antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic in a tertiary health institution in Ekiti State, Nigeria was investigated. In addition, the antibiogram of the bacterial isolates was also investigated. A total of 150 HIV patients was recruited for the study. Samples of their blood and stool were collected for the investigation. Their blood was used to determine their CD4 count using cytometry method while their stools were cultured on microbiological media and pure isolates were identified using standard microbiological techniques. The antibiogram of the isolates was determined using disk diffusion method. HIV negative individuals were used as control. The results showed that the CD4 count of HIV patients ranged from 5 to 1278 cells/mm3, while the most frequently encountered bacteria in their stool are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Morganella morganii, Aeromonas sp, Enterococcus sp. and Lactobacillus sp. All these bacterial spp however are absent from the stool of the control subjects. Pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella typhi [6 (40% and 4 (26%)], Shigella species [7 (41%) and 5 (28%)], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [3(37.5%) and 4(50%)] were prevalent among patients with CD4 count level 200-350 cellmm3 and 200 cell/mm3 respectively but are statistically insignificant (p>0.05). The isolated bacterial spp. , were resistant to most of the conventional antibiotics tested and the resistance was plasmid mediated in 95.2% of the isolates. This study shows the importance of investigating associated bacterial pathogens in HIV patients and evaluating the antibiogram profile of such pathogens before prescribing antibiotics to such patients in order to checkmate bacterial infections that may complicate the infection.
An effective citation metadata extraction process based on BibPro parser

There is a dramatic increase in academic publications and these publications are integrated to the digital libraries by making use of citation string. Any author can publish the journals conferences with the help of his own citation style. There is no specific format to the conferences and journals citation styles that are publishing on digital libraries. As there is no specific format to the citations it is difficult to any author or researchers when he want to perform field based searching on digital libraries. So it is an interesting problem to extract the components of citations string which is formatted in one of thousand different citation styles. The proposed citation parser named BibPro extracts components of citations strings more accurately with that of existing systems and achieves reasonable performance. Keywords: Data integration, digital libraries, information extraction, sequence alignment.
Developing a framework for the effective use of blogs in formative assessment

The development of educational technologies has resulted in a fundamental shift in the educational paradigm with learning no longer equating to the assimilation of knowledge transmitted by textbooks and instructors but by personally building and communicating knowledge. The aim of this paper is to analyse and discuss the importance of infusing blogs as a formative assessment tool in university education. After describing the theoretical aims, design, implementation and evaluation of blogging as a formative assessment tool; the paper supports the argument for the educational use and pedagogical importance of blogging. The paper also highlights potential problems and limitations of the blogging as an assessment tool and provides a conceptual framework for the effective implementation of blogs for enhancing student learning outcomes.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO CLUB VELOCITY IN GOLF SWINGS TO SUBMAXIMAL AND MAXIMAL SHOT DISTANCES

The contribution of joint rotations to endpoint velocity was investigated in golf shots to submaximal and maximal shot distances using a 41degrees of freedom (DOF) kinematic model. A subset of 16 DOFs was found to explain 97%-99% of endpoint velocity regulation at club–ball contact. The largest contributors, for both groups at every shot condition, were pelvis and torso twist rotation among the most proximal DOFs, elbow pronation/supination and wrist flexion/extension among DOFs in the left arm, and shoulder internal/external rotation and wrist flexion/extension among DOFs in the right arm. The contributions from pelvis obliquity, left wrist flexion/extension, left wrist ulnar/radial deviation and right shoulder flexion/extension differed significantly between the advanced and intermediate group.
Changing seasonality of moderate and extreme precipitation events in the Alps

Abstract. The intensity of precipitation events is expected to increase in the future. The rate of increase depends on the strength or rarity of the events; very strong and rare events tend to follow the Clausius–Clapeyron relation, whereas weaker events or precipitation averages increase at a smaller rate than expected from the Clausius–Clapeyron relation. An often overlooked aspect is seasonal occurrence of such events, which might change in the future. To address the impact of seasonality, we use a large ensemble of regional and global climate model simulations, comprising tens of thousands of model years of daily temperature and precipitation for the past, present, and future. In order to make the data comparable, they are quantile mapped to observation-based time series representative of the Aare catchment in Switzerland. Model simulations show no increase in annual maximum 1-day precipitation events (Rx1day) over the last 400 years and an increase of 10 %–20 % until the end of the century for a strong (RCP8.5) forcing scenario. This fits with a Clausius–Clapeyron scaling of temperature at the event day, which increases less than annual mean temperature. An important reason for this is a shift in seasonality. Rx1day events become less frequent in late summer and more frequent in early summer and early autumn, when it is cooler. The seasonality shift is shown to be related to summer drying. Models with decreasing annual mean or summer mean precipitation show this behaviour more strongly. The highest Rx1day per decade, in contrast, shows no change in seasonality in the future. This discrepancy implies that decadal-scale extremes are thermodynamically limited; conditions conducive to strong events still occur during the hottest time of the year on a decadal scale. In contrast, Rx1day events are also limited by other factors. Conducive conditions are not reached every summer in the present, and even less so in the future. Results suggest that changes in the seasonal cycle need to be accounted for when preparing for moderately extreme precipitation events and assessing their socio-economic impacts.
Relationship between body image, psychological symptom level and interpersonal style: alternative models

Relationship between body image, psychological symptom level and interpersonal style: alternative models Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body image, psychological symptom levels and interpersonal styles in college students. Two models have been tested for this purpose. In one of the models, the mediating effect of interpersonal style on the relationship between body image and psychological symptom levels; in the other model, the mediating effect of psychological symptom levels on the relationship between body image and interpersonal style was tested. Method: The study group consists of 250 undergraduate students at several schools of a public university in Eskisehir who have been on the first term of the academic year 2015-2016. Subjects’ ages ranged 18–26 years. Body-Cathexis Scale, Personality Style Scale, and Brief Symptom Inventory were used as data collection tools in the study. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The bootstrapping method was also used to test the significance of the indirect effects. Results: Findings revealed that the relationship between body image and interpersonal style was fully mediated by psychological symptom level, whereas the relationship between body image and psychological symptom level was partially mediated by interpersonal style. Conclusion: This study revealed that body image is an important factor in college youth mental health.
The Relationship between Female Self-objectification and Extra-curricular Activities

In contemporary society, women are free to adopt more flexible gender roles, ranging from those traditionally regarded as "masculine," to those considered more "androgynous," to more stereotypical female gender roles. Despite having greater freedom to adopt more diverse roles, some women continue to adopt traditional gender roles, in which self-objectification may persist. According to Calogero (2013), "self-objectification occurs when the objectifying gaze is turned inward, such that women view themselves through the perspective of an observer and engage in chronic self-surveillance" (p.312). The purpose of this study was to examine self-objectification among female students who participated in an extra-curricular activity here at Eastern Michigan University. Undergraduate females were be offered the opportunity to take an online questionnaire that assessed extracurricular activities, self-objectification, mood, body shame and appearance anxiety. It was hypothesized that females who participated in activities where the body as beauty was a major component would have a higher self-objectification, whereas females who participated in sports where the body as function was the major emphasis would have lower levels of self-objectification. Our study hypotheses were not supported and, in fact self-objectification was lower in activities thought to foster self-objectification. The reasons for this are unknown but would make an interesting future study. Degree Type Open Access Senior Honors Thesis Department Psychology First Advisor Karen K. Saules Second Advisor Natalie Dove
XStamps: a multiversion timestamps concurrency control protocol for XML data

With the tremendous growth of XML data over the Web, efficient management of such data becomes a new challenge for database community. Several data management solutions, proposed in recent years, extend the capability of traditional database systems to meet the needs of XML data while alternative approaches introduce new generation databases, named as native XML database management systems. Although traditional databases have mature transaction management and concurrency control techniques, there is still a need to tailor techniques for native XML databases in order to deal with distinct characteristics of XML. In this paper, we propose XStamps, a multiversion timestamps concurrency control protocol for XML data, which is integrated in NextDB, a native XML database management system. XStamps is designed based on multiversion timestamps protocol, and additional features are added to enable the flexible control of the isolation level of transactions and allow such transactions to commit early. Experimental results have shown that XStamps works well with XML data and provides performance gain over other concurrency protocols like tree and two-phase locking.
Chaotic Mixing in a Microfluidic Device

Chaotic Mixing in a Microfluidic Device Chih-Chang Chang, Ruey-Jen Yang1 Summary This paper presents a theoretical investigation into chaotic mixing in low Reynolds number electro-osmotic flows. In this mixing system, the primary flow is the pluglike electro-osmotic flow contributed by the permanent surface charge at the wall, and the secondary electro-osmotic flows (or electro-osmotic recirculating rolls) contributed by the field-effect-induced surface charge act as the perturbed flow. By time-periodic switching two different secondary electro-osmotic flows, it makes streamlines to cross at successive intervals and results in chaotic mixing. Dynamic system techniques such as Poincare map and finite-time Lyapunov exponent analyses are employed to describe the behaviors of particle motion in this mixing system. Finally, the optimum operating condition (e.g. amplitude and time-switching period) for the mixing is identified.
Livrable D2.3 of the PERSEE project - Texture analysis/synthesis: Softwares results and final report.

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Livrable D2.3 of the PERSEE project Texture analysis/synthesis: Softwares results and final report. Josselin Gautier, Olivier Le Meur
The Sloping Land Conversion Program in China: Effect on Rural Households’ Livelihood Diversification

By overcoming the barriers that limit access to financial liquidity and human resource, the Sloping Land Conversion Program (SLCP) can promote rural livelihood diversification. This paper examines this effect using a household survey data set spanning the 1999 implementation of the Sloping land conversion program. Our results show that SLCP works as a valid external policy intervention on rural livelihood diversification. In addition, the findings demonstrate that there exist heterogeneous effects of SLCP implementation on livelihood diversification across different rural income groups. The lower income group was more affected by the program in terms of income diversification.
Approximate Dynamic Programming Strategies and Their Applicability for Process Control: A Review and Future Directions

This paper reviews dynamic programming (DP), surveys approximate solution methods for it, and considers their applicability to process control problems. Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Neuro-Dynamic Programming (NDP), which can be viewed as approximate DP techniques, are already established techniques for solving difficult multi-stage decision problems in the fields of operations research, computer science, and robotics. Owing to the significant disparity of problem formulations and objective, however, the algorithms and techniques available from these fields are not directly applicable to process control problems, and reformulations based on accurate understanding of these techniques are needed. We categorize the currently available approximate solution techniques for dynamic programming and identify those most suitable for process control problems. Several open issues are also identified and discussed.
The influence of industrial policy and national systems of innovation on emerging economy suppliers’ learning capability

Abstract This paper links the industrial policy and national systems of innovation literature to the investigation of learning capabilities of suppliers in the context of the automotive parts industry of Pakistan. Drawing data from 50 Pakistani autoparts suppliers, the findings suggest that industrial policy has been helpful in creating a local parts supply base and facilitating the entry of Japanese assemblers in the market. However, the implementation of the policy has been weak, and it is an arduous journey for the local suppliers to develop ambidextrous (exploratory and exploitative) learning capabilities. The findings also indicate that where local training and support from R&D institutions are weak, networking alone with foreign multinationals is not sufficient on its own to develop exploratory learning capabilities of local suppliers. This paper shows the importance of creating national–provincial institutions offering learning and skills development aimed towards innovation.
Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on laying hen performance, egg yolk fatty acid composition and egg quality during refrigerated storage

Sixty-four Lohman LSL white layers, 75 weeks of age, kept in individual cages were assigned randomly to four treatments of 16 hens per group. The hens received one of four diets with 0, 0.5, 1 or 2% CLA for 4 weeks. Eggs were collected daily and stored at 4oC for 1 or 42 days. The performance of hens and fatty acid composition, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, pH of yolk and albumen, and yolk colour in eggs were measured. Feed intake, feed conversion and egg weight were influenced by the dietary CLA level (P<0.05). The concentration of CLA in the yolk lipids linearly increased as the dietary CLA increased. The addition of CLA to feed significantly (P<0.01) increased the saturated fatty acid (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and decreased (P<0.01) the MUFA content in the egg yolk. The duration of refrigeration increased the proportion of egg yolk but decreased the albumen content. It also increased egg yolk pH but decreased albumen pH. Yolk colour was influenced by storage time but it was not influenced by the CLA level. TBARS values were significantly influenced by the dietary CLA and storage time (P<0.01).
Hot Jupiter secondary eclipses measured by Kepler

Abstract Hot-Jupiters are known to be dark in visible bandpasses, mainly because of the alkali metal absorption lines and TiO and VO molecular absorption bands. The outstanding quality of the Kepler mission photometry allows a detection (or non-detection upper limits on) giant planet secondary eclipses at visible wavelengths. We present such measurements on published planets from Kepler Q1 data. We then explore how to disentangle between the planetary thermal emission and the reflected light components that can both contribute to the detected signal in the Kepler bandpass. We finally mention how different physical processes can lead to a wide variety of hot-Jupiters albedos.
Molecular Study of Urinary Tract Infection Bacteria and their Relationship to the Present of Oxalobacter formigenes in Stool of Kidney Stone Patients

Urinary Tract Infection is widespread in Al-Basrah province, it is important to detect the causative agent for suitable treatment and which factors may affect on the disease. Fifty urine samples were collected from patients with urinary stone disease from Al-Basrah General Hospital. Bacterial growth was in 48 samples. Axenic culture appeared 82% compared with mixed or no growth. Out of all bacterial isolates (55), gram – positive was 71% versus to gram – negative. 16SrDNA gene sequencing identified 10 Staphylococcus haemolyticus , 7 Escherechia coli , 5 Staphylococcus epidermidis and 3 Enterococcus faecalis . While Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Klebsiella pneumonia , Streptococcus agalactiae , Staphylococcus hominis and Bacillus cereus were 2 for each. Furthermore, Bacillus subtilis , Enterococcus raffinosus , Staphylococcus lugdunesis , Staphylococcus warneri , Streptococcus parasanguinis , Corynebacterium amycolatum , Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum, Corynebacterium coyleae and Corynebacterium aurimucosum were 1 for each. Four of these isolates were recorded as new global strains in GenBank. The bacterial species were more frequented in patients without surgical operation (88.6%), antibiotic utilization (77.3%), kidney and oxalate stone (72.7%) for each. Most bacterial isolates had a high sensitivity to imipenem (86.4%), then followed by amikacin and ciprofloxacin (54.5%, for each), but low and no sensitivity to ceftriaxone (97.7%), ampiclox and methicillin (100%, for each). High rate of multi - drug resistance was noticed among all isolates. This is a first study confirms a relationship between the presence of some UTI bacteria and the absence of Oxalobacter formigenes in the gut.
The Signaling Role of Charitable Contributions by Businesses: A Tax Policy Perspective

Empirical evidence suggests that charitable contributions to public goods may be driven not only by the familiar warm-glow of giving motive but also as a means for businesses to signal high product quality. Building on this finding, we present an analytical framework that characterizes the optimal government policy, assuming that the government may either directly provide the public good or subsidize its private provision. We show that in the optimal solution the government should subsidize the private provision of the public good and refrain from direct provision. We further demonstrate that the optimal degree of subsidization should decrease with the extent to which the signal is informative, and may even turn into a tax when the signal is sufficiently strong. Finally, we compare the current practice in the US, a charitable contribution deduction provided by Section 170 of the US Tax Code, with the optimal design suggested by our normative analysis and offer changes that would bring the Section closer to the social optimum.
Multi-robot Task Allocation using Agglomerative Clustering

Multi-robot Task Allocation using Agglomerative Clustering Maria Shoaib, M.S. Rochester Institute of Technology, 2016 Supervisor: Dr. Zack Butler The main objective of this thesis is to solve the problem of balancing tasks in the Multi-robot Task Allocation problem domain. When allocating a large number of tasks to a multi-robot system, it is important to balance the load effectively across the robots in the system. In this thesis an algorithm is proposed in which tasks are allocated through clustering, investigating the effectiveness of agglomerative hierarchical clustering as compared to K-means clustering. Once the tasks are clustered, each agent claims a cluster through a greedy self-assignment. This thesis investigates the performance both when all tasks are known ahead of time as well as when new tasks are injected into the system periodically. To account for new tasks, both global re-clustering and greedy clustering methods are considered. Three metrics: 1) total travel
The Lattice Component of the Thermal Conductivity of Metals and Alloys

Makinson's (1938) theory of the lattice component of the thermal conductivity of metals and alloys, when limited at low temperatures by interaction with the conduction electrons, is re-examined, and the magnitude of the lattice conductivity is related to the electronic thermal conductivity at low temperatures, thus avoiding uncertainties in the theory at high temperatures. The result depends on whether transverse lattice waves can interact with the electrons.
Theoretical Consideration Of Complex Heat Transfer In The Freeboard Region Above The Fluidized Bed

This paper discusses the scope and studies based on a complex heat transfer process in a fluidized bed. The heat transfer process occurring in the freeboard region above the bed exert a great influence on the thermal region in the whole apparatus containing a fluidized bed. This region occupies up to 90% of the working volume of the configuration. For this reason, the information of regularity of the heat transfer in the freeboard region above the bed with the heat transfer surface becomes very important in very large size equipment. It should be noted that the regularities of the heat transfer in this region are much more complicated than those in the fluidized bed itself.