Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low-Field NMR Investigations of Nanocomposites: Polymer Dynamics and Network Effects

The dynamics of the polymer matrix in filled rubbers is modified by the presence of solid particles. We used low-field proton NMR to investigate model filled samples consisting of a dispersion of grafted silica particles into an elastomeric matrix. Exploiting magic-sandwich echo experiments, we were able to determine the fraction of polymer with slower dynamics and to correlate it to the silica specific surface. The presence of immobilized polymer—most probably due to a gradient of glass transition temperature around the solid particles—is detected whether there is a covalent bond between the filler and the matrix or not. Moreover, the fraction of immobilized polymer decreases in similar ways with either an increase of the temperature or the addition of solvent. In the case of covalent bonds between the silica and the polymer, multiple-quantum experiments reveal that the cross-link density of the elastomer matrix is locally increased in the vicinity of the particles. This is an observation that was not ma.
Exploring Indonesian aquaculture futures

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production sector globally, with production projected to double within the next 15â€“20 years. Future growth of aquaculture is essential to providing sustainable supplies of fish in national, regional and global fish food systems; creating jobs; and maintaining fish at affordable levels for resource-poor consumers. To ensure that the anticipated growth of aquaculture remains both economically and ecologically sustainable, we need to better understand the likely patterns of growth, as well as the opportunities and challenges, that these trends present. This knowledge will enable us to better prioritize investments that will help ensure the sustainable development of the sector. In Indonesia, WorldFish and partners have applied a unique methodology to evaluate growth trajectories for aquaculture under various scenarios, as well as the opportunities and challenges these represent. Indonesia is currently the fourth largest aquaculture producer globally, and the sector needs to grow to meet future fish demand. The study overlapped economic and environmental models with quantitative and participatory approaches to understand the future of aquaculture in Indonesia. Such analyses, while not definitive, have provided new understanding of the future supply and demand for seafood in Indonesia stretching to 2030. The learning from this research provides a foundation for future interventions in Indonesian fish food systems, as well as a suite of methodologies that can be applied more widely for insightful analyses of aquaculture growth trajectories in other countries or regions.
A novel 3D modelling and simulation technique in thermotherapy predictive analysis on biological tissue

Optical techniques applied to biological tissue allow the development of new tools in medical praxis, either in tissue characterization or treatment. Examples of the latter are Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) or Low Intensity Laser Treatment (LILT), and also a promising technique called thermotherapy, that tries to control temperature increase in a pathological tissue in order to reduce or even eliminate pathological effects. The application of thermotherapy requires a previous analysis in order to avoid collateral damage to the patient, and also to choose the appropriate optical source parameters. Among different implementations of opto-thermal models, the one we use consists of a three dimensional Beer-Lambert law for the optical part, and a bio-heat equation, that models heat transference, conduction, convection, radiation, blood perfusion and vaporization, solved via a numerical spatial-temporal explicit finite difference approach, for the thermal part. The usual drawback of the numerical method of the thermal model is that convergence constraints make spatial and temporal steps very small, with the natural consequence of slow processing. In this work, a new algorithm implementation is used for the bio-heat equation solution, in such a way that the simulation time decreases considerably. Thermal damage based on the Arrhenius integral damage is also considered.
SIRE-DP-2011-09 On Measuring the Efficiency of Monetary Policy

Cecchetti et al. (2006) develop a method for allocating macroeconomic performance changes among the structure of the economy, variability of supply shocks and monetary policy. We propose a dual approach of their method by borrowing well-known tools from production theory, namely the Farrell measure and the Malmquist index. Following Färe et al (1994) we propose a decomposition of the efficiency of monetary policy. It is shown that the global efficiency changes can be rewritten as the product of the changes in macroeconomic performance, minimum quadratic loss, and efficiency frontier. JEL: E52, E58
A localisation principle for quadratic spaces over Laurent extensions

We prove here that the localisation principle holds for anisotropic quadratic spaces over R [T, T-1], where R is an integral domain in which 2 is invertible. We also give an example of an isotropic quadratic space over R [T, T1] for which the localisation principle does not hold.
Weak Vertical Diffusion Allows Maintenance of Cold Halocline in the Central Arctic

Abstract In spring preceding the record minimum summer ice cover detailed microstructure measurements were made from drifting pack ice in the Arctic Ocean, 110 km from the North Pole. Profiles of hydrography, shear, and temperature microstructure collected in the upper water column covering the core of the Atlantic Water are analyzed to determine the diapycnal eddy diffusivity, the eddy diffusivity for heat, and the turbulent flux of heat. Turbulence in the bulk of the cold halocline layer was not strong enough to generate significant buoyancy flux and mixing. Resulting turbulent heat flux across the upper cold halocline was not significantly different than zero. The results show that the low levels of eddy diffusivity in the upper cold halocline lead to small vertical turbulent transport of heat, thereby allowing the maintenance of the cold halocline in the central Arctic.
Theory and Phonological Blending in French

Though less productive than rival word-formation processes like compounding and affixation, blending is still a rich source of neologisms in French (Galisson & Lerat 1987; Clas 1980). Despite this productivity, however, blends are often seen by scholars as unpredictable, uninteresting, or both. In his work on morphological productivity in English, Bauer (1988: 39) states that “in most cases.the new word is created from parts of two other words, with no apparent principles guiding the way in which the two original words are mutilated”, expressing the sentiment that blending is not only irregular, but also unnatural (i.e. extragrammatical). Taken collectively, the more thorough analyses of blends are something of a mixed bag as well: some focus on their derivation and structure (Algeo 1977; Ruá 2004), others on their usage (Gries 2004), and still others on their place in the grammar (Bat-El 1996; Kubozono 1990). Of these studies, only a few have treated blends as a regular phonological process, and only Bat-El (1996; 2012) has offered a rigorous account of their formation within the framework of Optimality Theory (Prince & Smolensky 1993). The analysis below picks up where Bat-El’s (2012) analysis of Hebrew blends leaves off, using Correspondence Theory and a bundle of segmental constraints to deal with this phenomenon as it pertains to French. More specifically, it shows that blending is the result of a single output standing in correspondence with two or more other outputs, and that we do not need to refer to prosodic information, which is crucial in accounts of blending in languages with lexical stress like English, to account for the process in French. The analysis also differs from previous studies in that it locates blending exclusively within the phonology, leaving its morphological and semantic characteristics to be handled by other processes in the grammar.
Productivity loss in brainstorming groups: Toward the solution of a riddle.

We conducted four experiments to investigate free riding, evaluation apprehension, and production blocking as explanations of the difference in brainstorming productivity typically observed between real and nominal groups. In Experiment 1, we manipulated assessment expectations in group and individual brainstorming. Although productivity was higher when subjects worked under personal rather than collective assessment instructions, type of session still had a major impact on brainstorming productivity under conditions that eliminated the temptation to free ride. Experiment 2 demonstrated that inducing evaluation apprehension reduced productivity in individual brainstorming. However, the failure to find an interaction between evaluation apprehension and type of session in Experiment 3 raises doubts about evaluation apprehension as a major explanation of the productivity loss in brainstorming groups. Finally, by manipulating blocking directly, we determined in Experiment 4 that production blocking accounted for most of the productivity loss of real brainstorming groups. The processes underlying production blocking are discussed, and a motivational interpretation of blocking is offered. In his influential book, Osborn (1957) suggested brainstorming as a method of group problem solving that considerably increases the quality and quantity of ideas produced by group members. Brainstorming groups are traditionally given instructions designed to free the individual members from the inhibiting effects of self-criticism and the criticism by others during the problem-solving session. The rules behind brainstorming are as follows: keep in mind that the more ideas the better and the wilder the ideas the better, improve or combine ideas already suggested; and do not be critical. Osborn (1957) claimed that if these rules are followed "the average person can think up twice as many ideas when working with a group than when working alone" (p. 229).
Ultra Wide Band Compact Antenna with Dual U- Shape Slot for Notch-Band Application

In this article, a compact ultra-wideband monopole antenna with notch band characteristic is presented. The proposed antenna has a notch-band for rejection of WiMAX frequency at 3.5GHz. Here, we show the ability of controlling the notch frequency with some changes in U-slot. The antenna has the bandwidth of 3.1-16 GHz with the notch at 3.2-3.8GHz with high rejection and VSWR of notch around 16. The prototype antenna based on monopole antenna with dual U-shape slots is fabricated. The antenna ground contains a T slot for matching. The antenna has Omni-directional pattern in E-plane and bi-directional pattern in H-plane. The antenna gain has altered from -8 to 5.9 dB at the range of 2–16 GHz, with an average gain of 4.2 dBi. The total size of the antenna is 12×18×1.6 mm3. The multi U line controls the current distribution, while it can be replaced by pin diode for achieving reconfigurable structure.
The Impact of ISO 9001 Certification Audit on Oil and Gas Organizations' Performance in Qatar

Quality Auditing is a systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled. The purpose of this paper is to find out the impact of ISO 9001 certification audit on oil and gas companies’ performance in Qatar. More than 100 oil and gas companies have been certified ISO 9001. Therefore, it is necessary to study and analyze the impact of that certification on their performance. Survey study has been done by distributing a questionnaire by e-mail or by handing it personally to most of the certified oil and gas companies in Qatar. The response rate was 33.6% of surveyed companies. The statistical operations with the results of analytical study have been done to achieve the goal and objectives of the research. Finally, ISO 9001 certification audit is found to have a positive effect on oil and gas companies’ performance in Qatar.
The First Population-Based Cancer Survey in Kerman Province of Iran

Cancer is the second most common cause of non-accidental death in Iran. Geographical, racial and habitual differences have led to the variation in the incidence of cancer in different regions of this country. This study was performed to determine the incidence of cancer in the Kerman Province, central Iran. Methods: All newly diagnosed cases of cancer in the Kerman Province were recorded in a five-year period (1996-2000). Results: In all, 5884 new cases (55.7% males) of cancer were found after elimination of repeated cases. Based on age-stan- dardized incidence rates (ASR) the most common cancers in men were stomach (10.2), lung (7.1), bladder (6.7), colorectal (5.9) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (5.8), while in women the most common cancers were breast (16.9) colorectal (5.9), stomach (5.1), leukaemia (4.6) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (2.8). For all cancers, ASR was 76 for males and 68 for females. Conclusion: The results indicate that upper gastrointestinal cancer, especially oesophageal cancer is very rare in central Iran in contrast to northern Iran, although these types of cancers are some of the most common cancers in the Kerman Province.
Machine Learning Based Prediction of Non-communicable Diseases to Improving Intervention Program in Bangladesh

Background: The prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing throughout the world, including in developing countries. An NCD prevention program using information communication technology was implemented for 2 years in Bangladesh. Health checkup data were collected from 16,741 study subjects. However, the effectiveness of the utilized prevention strategy has not yet been evaluated, and some subjects with a risk of NCD have gone undetected. Objective: This study aimed to improve intervention strategies by analyzing collected data and proposing a costeffective personalized predictive model to identify subjects predicted to be at future risk of NCD. Methods: We selected 2,110 subjects who participated in both years of the program and used a machine learning algorithm, gradient boosting decision tree, to build models that would identify subjects who were at risk of future high blood pressure, blood sugar or body mass index (BMI). We used area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curves and cumulative accuracy profile (CAP) curves to evaluate the performance of our models. Results: Models showed fairly good performance: the BMI model (AUC=0.910) yielded the greatest AUC whereas the BS model (AUC=0.730) yielded the lowest. CAP curves indicated that the BMI model could correctly identify 98.0% of at-risk subjects at only 50% of the total time cost. Conclusions: Our models represent powerful tools with which to improve the effect of health intervention programs and the effectiveness at which they are performed with limited medical resources.
Multichromophoric Cyclodextrins. 6. Investigation of Excitation Energy Hopping by Monte-Carlo Simulations and Time-Resolved Fluorescence Anisotropy

Excitation energy transport in several β-cyclodextrins containing seven appended chromophores was studied theoretically and experimentally by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy. The absorption spectra compared to those of reference chromophores did not reveal significant interactions between the chromophores in the ground state, thus allowing us to assume a very weak coupling regime for energy transfer. The measured long time anisotropies were found to be in all cases close to one-seventh of the fundamental anisotropy, showing that the chromophores are randomly oriented. A realistic model in which the chromophores are in fixed positions but randomly oriented was developed to interpret the steady-state and time-resolved emission anisotropy data. A Monte-Carlo simulation based on the appropriate master equation allowed the calculation of the theoretical anisotropy decay in terms of reduced variables and parameters. The decay contains a wide spectrum of rate constants. A good fit to the e.
Hall of Mirrors: Corporate Philanthropy and Strategic Advocacy

Information is central to designing effective policy, and policy makers often rely on competing interests to separate useful from biased information. We show how this logic of virtuous competition can break down, using a new and comprehensive data set on U.S. federal regulatory rulemaking for 2003–2016. For-profit corporations and nonprofit entities are active in the rulemaking process and are arguably expected to provide independent viewpoints. Policy makers, however, may not be fully aware of the financial ties between some firms and nonprofits—grants that are legal and tax-exempt but hard to trace. We document three patterns that suggest that these grants may distort policy. First, we show that shortly after a firm donates to a nonprofit, the nonprofit is more likely to comment on rules on which the firm has also commented. Second, when a firm comments on a rule, the comments by nonprofits that recently received grants from the firm’s foundation are systematically closer in content to the firm’s own comments, relative to comments submitted by other nonprofits. Third, the final rule’s discussion by a regulator is more similar to the firm’s comments on that rule when the firm’s recent grantees also commented on it.
CapVis

When looking at an image, humans shift their attention toward interesting regions, making sequences of eye fixations. When describing an image, they also come up with simple sentences that highlight the key elements in the scene. What is the correlation between where people look and what they describe in an image? To investigate this problem intuitively, we develop a visual analytics system, CapVis, to look into visual attention and image captioning, two types of subjective annotations that are relatively task-free and natural. Using these annotations, we propose a word-weighting scheme to extract visual and verbal saliency ranks to compare against each other. In our approach, a number of low-level and semantic-level features relevant to visual-verbal saliency consistency are proposed and visualized for a better understanding of image content. Our method also shows the different ways that a human and a computational model look at and describe images, which provides reliable information for a captioning model. Experiment also shows that the visualized feature can be integrated into a computational model to effectively predict the consistency between the two modalities on an image dataset with both types of annotations.
Implicit Feedback Recommender System Based on Matrix Factorization

With the development of the internet age, information overload problem is imminent. At now, almost of recommended models use the explicit feedback. But lots of implicit feedback data are missing. The paper explores the area of recommendation based on large-scale implicit feedback, Where only positive feedback is available. Further, the paper carried on the empirical research on the Implicit Feedback Recommendation Model. By maximized the probability of the user's choices, IFR mean the progress task into optimization problems In the way, the experiment results confirm the superiority of the model. However, the model is insufficient about online research and a lack of details.
Watchful waiting vs. active surveillance: Which treatment option is right for patients with localized prostate cancer?

In contrast, active surveillance is a more appropriate option for younger men (<65 years of age) with a considerable life expectancy (>10 years) and low risk disease. Active surveillance has curative intent; it is considered “deferred treatment,” or an opportunity to move to definitive treatment in the event of tumor reclassification and/or disease progression. In these cases, patients can have an interim freedom from the potential side effects of definitive therapy. Some variability exists in the monitoring and protocols for active surveillance. Many urologists would recommend PSA testing and symptom assessment every 3-4 months for 2 years and then every 6 months thereafter.3 A digital rectal exam is usually performed periodically. A repeat prostate biopsy is recommended one year following the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The interval of subsequent prostate biopsies is typically increased to every 2 years. A rise in PSA level, a suspicious change in the digital rectal exam, or concerning symptoms would prompt an earlier biopsy. Consideration of MRI and/ or genomic testing (discussed later) may further stratify the risk of disease progression. Of course, this intense follow up would not be necessary for patients enrolled in a watchful waiting protocol.
Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria in Small Lakes of Forest-Steppe Region of Volga Basin (European Russia)

The distribution and abundance of anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria in typical small lakes of the foreststeppe part of Volga river basin had been studied. It was found that small lakes and ponds with depth more than 2 m are, as a rule, stratified in summer with subsequent formation of anoxic condition in hypolimnium. As result, anoxygenic phototrophs developed in 90% of studied lakes having maximum depth more than 2.5 m. Colonial gas-vacuolated species were dominant in anoxygenic phototrophic assemblages. Bacteriochlorophyll d-containing Chl. clathratiforme and Chl. luteum dominated among the Chlorobiaceae, Amoebobacter-type Thiocapsa species and Thiopedia rosea – among the Chromatiaceae. Bacteriochlorophyll e-containing Chlorobiaceae were not detected, planktonic Chloronema gigantea (Chloroflexi) was recorded only once. Single-celled species were isolated from majority of lakes, but never reached high abundance in natural assemblages. The bacteriochlorophyll a concentrations reached 50 μg/L, bacteriochlorophyll d – up to 1000 μg/L, 2 to 10-fold epilimnetic chlorophyll a concentration. The common features and differences of APB development in studied lakes and in freshwater ecosystems of other geographic regions are discussed.
SENNA PLANT INDUCES DISRUPTION ON THE MITOCHONDRIA OF HYMENOLEPIS DIMINUTA

Objective: The present study aims at observing the effects of three species of Senna plants, viz. Senna alata , S. alexandrina and S. occidentalis on the ultrastructure of the mitochondria of the tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta . Methods: Worms were treated with leaf extracts of the three plant species with a standard dose concentration of 40 mg/ml and keeping one group of parasites in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as a control. The parasites from control and treated medium were simultaneously removed after the loss of motility and fixed in 3% gluteraldehyde. They were processed for ultramicrograph observations of the worm’s mitochondria with special reference to shape and cytoplasm through transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: The study showed loss of architecture in the outer mitochondrial membrane. The inner membrane became distorted with inconspicuous cristae and matrix became lucent in all plant treated worms compared to control. Amongst the three plants, S. alexandrina showed overall distortion in the shape leading to bloating of mitochondria. Conclusion: The observations depict pronounced alterations in the structure of mitochondria, thus signifying depletion of energy synthesis in the parasite. Senna plant could, therefore, be a potent anthelmintic alternative.