Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamical inference for transitions in stochastic systems with α-stable Lévy noise

A goal of data assimilation is to infer stochastic dynamical behaviors with available observations. We consider transition phenomena between metastable states for a stochastic system with (non-Gaussian) α -stable Lévy noise. With either discrete time or continuous time observations, we infer such transitions between metastable states by computing the corresponding non-local Zakai equation (and its discrete time counterpart) and examining the most probable orbits for the state system. Examples are presented to demonstrate this approach.
The Effects of "Stress Inoculation" on Anxiety-related Behaviors in a Rodent Model

Problem. Humans may face psychological stressors in their everyday life due to their ability to contemplate future events. While long-term stress exposure may be detrimental to health, this study examines the possibility that exposure to unpredictable/controllable, moderate stress may cause resilience against future stressors. This is referred to as the "stress inoculation hypothesis. " The effects of unpredictable/controllable stress can be illustrated as a rightward shift in an inverted U-shaped curve, where optimal performance (the top of the curve) can be maintained at higher stress levels. -- Method. Thirty-three male Sprague-Dawley rats were tested on the elevated-plus maze (EPM) for trait anxiety. Rats were then placed in housing platforms; 15 rats were exposed to unpredictable/controllable stress (UST) in the housing platform, and 18 rats were used as a control group (CT). After 21 days in the UST or CT housing, spatial memory and anxiety-related behaviors were tested under aversive conditions on the Barnes maze. -- Results. Spatial memory: UST rats took less time to reach the goal box on the Barnes maze (p<0.05), and made fewer errors (p<0.05). General locomotor activity: No significant effect was seen for mobility, which is a measure of general locomotor behavior, on the Barnes maze (p=0.100). The UST rats took less time to approach the first hole on the Barnes maze (p<0.05). There was no significant effect for the number of holes jumped over in the Barnes maze (p=0.599). There was no significant effect for the number of times the rats looked over the edge (p=0.431). No correlations were seen between Barnes maze data and EPM behaviors (all p>0.05). -- Conclusion. These data are consistent with the "stress inoculation hypothesis. " As humans, exposure to stress is unavoidable and unpredictable. The results of this study, however, indicate that stress does not always lead to negative consequences, but can be helpful. By causing a rightward shift in the inverted U-shaped curve, stress can better prepare us to face stressful situations in the future and reduce our anxiety about facing those stressors.
Preparation of Anodic Aluminum Oxide Masks with Size-Controlled Pores for 2D Plasmonic Nanodot Arrays

Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) layers with nano-sized pores have been used as shadow masks for the fabrication of two-dimensional (2D) metal nanodot arrays (NDAs). However, the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of size-controlled NDAs fabricated using AAO masks has not been much studied. In this study, we report on the improved preparation method and utilization of an ultrathin AAO mask for the fabrication of 2D plasmonic metal NDAs. The greatest challenge in preparing an AAO mask is to control the pore diameter and to make it reproducible. AAO masks with size-controlled pores were reproducibly prepared using a two-step chemical wet etching method. Ag NDAs with different dot diameters (42, 60, and 80 nm) and Ag, Cu, and Au NDAs with dot a diameter of 80 ± 5 nm were fabricated on indium tin oxide glass substrates using AAO masks. The wavelengths corresponding to LSPR of 2D metal NDAs were investigated using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Our results show that AAO masks with tunable pores can be used as shadow masks for the fabrication of 2D plasmonic NDAs.
A NEW SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC RADIOTRACKING OF SMALL MAMMALS

Abstract We developed a radiotracking system for automatic and continuous data collection, which allows the radiotracking of several animals at the same time. Based on a system controller, 3 fixed antennas, and small-size radiotransmitters (<2 g, 14 by 12 by 4 mm), the system has the capacity to record several individuals continuously at intervals of <5 min. Antennas, positioned at fixed points in the field, forward the signals from tagged animals to the system controller, where data are collected. The coordinates of the individual’s locations are calculated through triangulation on the basis of the angles of incidence from the transmitter signal to each antenna. Transmitters are individually identified by the chronological sequence of their signals. Field tests with Microtus arvalis show the utility of the new technique and possibilities for the system.
An Econometric Analysis of Capital Flight from Nigeria: A Portfolio Approach

This study provides measures of real capital flight from Nigeria based on the residual method adjusted for exchange rate fluctuations and trade misinvoicing. The portfolio choice approach is explored, in which the flow of capital is accumulated into stock and expressed as ratios of private stock of real wealth. Econometric analysis of capital flight, based on a portfolio choice framework, was conducted using the ordinary least squares (OLS) method of analysis. The results of the econometric analysis reveal that a number of factors systematically explain the portfolio behaviour of private wealth holders in Nigeria. These factors are consistent with earlier studies and include real GDP growth, real interest rate differential, parallel market exchange rate premium, inflows of debtcapital, domestic debt, fiscal deficit and change in inflation rate.
Engineering Change During a Product’S Lifecycle

This paper describes a case study investigating the changes made to a complex product, namely an aero-engine through its product lifecycle. Document analysis of over 1500 reports covering eight years of the aero-engine lifecycle has been carried out. The research investigated how changes occur at different phases of a product lifecycle and how the causes of the changes differ during the different stages. The majority of changes were found to occur during the manufacturing and build phase. It was found that changes to the engineering specification together with meeting design criteria are the major causes during the prototype testing and development phase. The main cause of engineering change was found to be linked to its lifecycle phase.
A Pieri-type formula for even orthogonal Grassmannians

We study the cohomology ring of the Grassmannian G of isotropic n- subspaces of a complex 2m-dimensional vector space, endowed with a nondegenerate or- thogonal form (here 1 n < m). We state and prove a formula giving the Schubert class decomposition of the cohomology products in H (G) of general Schubert classes by \special Schubert classes", i.e. the Chern classes of the dual of the tautological vector bundle of rank n on G. We discuss some related properties of reduced decompositions of \barred permutations" with even numbers of bars, and divided dierences associated with the even orthogonal group SO(2m). Contents
Characterization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital, South India

S. aureus causes superficial to deep seated infections in human beings. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus arueus (MRSA) evolved in the 1960s and since then has become a worldwide concern owing to increasing morbidity and mortality in health-care settings and even community. (MRSA) is a resistant variant of S. aureus which are resistant to beta-lactum antibiotics and other classes of antimicrobials. Early and accurate detection of MRSA and their antimicrobial susceptibility profile is therefore imperative for the selection of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. A total of 300 isolates of S. aureus collected from January 2010 to December 2012 were included in the study. S. aureus was characterized based on morphological and biochemical characters. To receive a pure culture, the isolates were grown on mannitol salt agar with supplement 5% v/v egg yolk emulsion. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out on the strains by disc diffusion technique and the results interrupted according to Clinical laboratory standards International (CLSI) guidelines. A significant proportion of the S. aureus isolates were obtained from the exudates (226) specimens in all the three years followed by blood (48), urine (16) and respiratory (10). The average resistance seen in the 300 isolates tested was ampicillin (97.2%), cephelaxin (94%), cefotaxime (96.4%), cloxacillin (100%), erythromycin (82.6%), Gentamycin (76.3%), ciprofloxacin (54.4%), clindamycin (40.4%) and linezolid and vancomycin were susceptible for all the strains. In conclusion, the prevalence of MRSA in our health-care setting is 45% among the clinical isolates of S. aureus. Active screening and proper infection control procedures need to be adopted to control the MRSA infection.
A review on children's favorite place in the context of rural, suburban and urban environments

There has been a raft of research on children's favorite place in different environment were taken in varying settings. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present 20 syntheses of related studies from 1970's to the present on the existence of children's favorite place and the reason of their preferences in rural, suburban and urban environments. The differences of children's favorite place between those environments are discussed in this paper. Findings suggest that children's preferences for favorite place are mostly influences by the factor of physical environment, followed by social and individual factors.
Variability of some important soil chemical properties of rainfed low land paddy fields and its effect on land suitability for rice cultivation

Available soil-phosphorus (P), exchangeable soil-potassium (K), soil pH and soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) affect rice production and are highly variable in nature mainly due to the variability in water availability. Therefore, experiments were conducted to find out the variability of some important soil chemical properties of rainfed lowland paddy fields and their effect on land suitability for rice cultivation in the Dry (Mahananeriya), Intermediate (Ibbagamuwa) and Wet (Alawwa) regions in the Kurunegala District of Sri Lanka. Randomly collected soil samples from the above three areas were analyzed for available soil-P, exchangeable soil-K, soil pH (1:2.5) and EC (1:5). Thematic maps for each parameter were prepared using Inverse Distance Weighted interpolation technique. Weighted sum technique was used to overlay maps to prepare the suitability map as Marginally Suitable, Moderately Suitable, Suitable and Highly Suitable. Results showed that the available soil-P and EC levels are preferable for rice cultivation in the rainfed lowland paddy fields in all three regions. Even with this situation, the potential productivity of the lands cannot be obtained due to variability of soil pH and exchangeable Potassium contents. Soil pH and the exchangeable soil Potassium in all rainfed paddy areas of Alawwa is far below the optimum levels for paddy cultivation. In terms of these soil chemical properties, 42% and 32% of rainfed paddy fields in Ibbagamuwa and Mahananeriya regions, respectively, are either highly suitable or suitable but 79% land extent of the rainfed paddy in Alawwa is marginally suitable for rice cultivation. Therefore, a blanket recommendation of remedial measures cannot be introduced to improve productivity of the rainfed paddy fields in these regions while site-specific remedial measures would help to overcome the problems of specific soil chemical properties. Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 26 (3): 506 – 516 (2015)
Spinal Implant with Customized and Non-Linear Stiffness

Spinal Implant with Customized and Non-Linear Stiffness Eric R. Dodgen Department of Mechanical Engineering, BYU Master of Science There is a need for spinal implants that have nonlinear stiffness to provide stabilization if the spine loses stiffness through injury, degeneration, or surgery. There is also a need for spinal implants to be customizable for individual needs, and to be small enough to be unobtrusive once implanted. Past and ongoing work that defines the effects of degeneration on the torque rotation curve of a functional spinal unit (FSU) were used to produce a spinal implant which could meet these requirements. This thesis proposes contact-aided inserts to be used with the FlexSuReTM spinal implant to create a nonlinear stiffness. Moreover, different inserts can be used to create customized behaviors. An analytical model is introduced for insert design, and the model is verified using a finite element model and tests of physical prototypes both on a tensile tester and cadaveric testing on an in-house spine tester. Testing showed the inserts are capable of creating a non-linear force-deflection curve and it was observed that the device provided increased stiffness to a spinal segment in flexionextension and lateral-bending. This thesis further proposes that the FlexSuReTM spinal implant can be reduced in size by joining LET joint geometries in series in a serpentine nature. An optimization procedure was performed on the new geometry and feasible designs were identified. Moreover, due to maintaining LET joint geometry, the contact-aided insert could be implemented in conjunction with this new device geometry.
The relation between the in vitro bioaccessibility of β-carotene and structural characteristics of carrot pieces during thermal processing (sterilization and pasteurization) in a retort

It has been shown that thermal processing, which is intended to extend the shelf life of food products, may affect the quality of fruit and vegetable based products negatively (e.g. vitamin destruction, texture degradation). However, it has also been highlighted that the nutrient bioaccessibility is increased during thermal processing, possibly by the structural changes occurring during thermal processing. Understanding these quality changes could help to identify optimal processing conditions for better quality retention during thermal processing. This review is a case on carrots whereby the textural changes as well as the nutritional changes (β-carotene concentration and β-carotene bioaccessibility) are considered. Key words: Carrots, β-carotene, processing, texture, β-carotene concentration and bioaccessibility.
BY THE POWER OF SNS, WE CAN… AND YET…ACTIVISM THROUGH SNS: POTENTIAL AND LIMITATIONS IN TURKEY

This research article summarizes the findings of a larger research study which attempted to gather data on Turkish activists’ perceptions on the scope, strength and limitations of digital activism. Qualitative data were collected via a web-based survey from 302 activists to find out what potential and limitations Turkish activists attribute to utilization of SNS for activism purposes. The results illustrated that a total of 263 activists in the sample appreciated SNS for providing a fertile ground for activism and a total of 131 activists drew attention to the potential of SNS for managerial purposes, for awareness raising and for creating positive publicity for the cause and the activists. The role of SNS for the maintenance of polyvocality was expressed by a total of 115 activists. The political environment, surveillance, control and manipulation of the internet, disbelief in jurisdiction, the fear atmosphere and the social environment were the limitations selfreported by the activists in the sample.
Mukherjee Studies in Hydroelastodynamics : Singing and Swimming

In this thesis we describe two instances of the nonlinear interaction between a fluid and an elastic solid to mimic or explain some phenomenon seen in nature. We focus on the phenomena of singing of small song birds and swimming of small fish. Song birds show a versatile range of tones and compositions that have highly complex spectral structure, while fish cut through water with amazing ease. The complexity of the Navier Stokes Equations that describe the fluid coupled with large deformation elasticity equations, makes analytic attempts intractable. Hence experiments were carried out with simple physical models to explain these observations. In the first case a cylindrical elastic tube (2.5cm long, 2.5mm diameter) was used to model the vocal organ, the syrinx, of a song bird. Muscle action was mimicked using a linear motor that implemented a squeezing action and the action of the lungs was modeled by a constant source of air flow. The combined fluid-elastic system behaved like a nonlinear dynamical system and produced sound under certain conditions of external parameters. Moreover the structure of the sound created depended sensitively on the control parameters, which in this case was dominated by the position of the linear motor. The motor was dynamically controlled to produce a range of songs from simple tonal ones of the Vireo to the complex chaotic songs of the Zebra Finch. In the second instance, a cantilever (5cm long, 1cm wide)suspended between and driven
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY/SOLID PHASE MICROEXTRACTION: A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF MVOCS FROM MOLDY BUILDING MATERIALS

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/solid phase microextraction (GC-MS/SPME) was applied to identify microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). Aqueous reference mixtures of commonly reported MVOCs were studied. Building materials (gypsum board papers, mineral wool, and masonite) and cultivated molds (Aspergillus penicillioides, Stachybotrys chartarum, and Chaetomium globosum) were investigated using both electron impact and chemical ionization. Three different SPME fibers (65 µm PDMS-DVB, 75 µm Carboxen-PDMS, and 70 µm Carbowax-DVB stableflex) designed for automated injection were used. The 70 µm Carbowax-DVB stableflex fiber showed better performance than the other fibers. Several MVOCs were identified in the building materials and the fungal spp. Interestingly, methyl benzoate was identified in both S. chartarum and A. penicillioides cultures and in the mould-infested materials. SPME combined with GC-MS is a useful method to determine MVOCs emitted from moldy building materials.
Thermodynamics of scale factor dual universes

The thermodynamical aspects of the conformal time scale factor duality (CSFD) of cosmological models within Einstein gravity are investigated. We derive the CSFD transformations of the thermodynamical quantities describing the thermal evolution of the matter fluid and of the apparent horizon. The thermodynamical properties of the self-dual cosmological models with a modified Chaplygin gas are studied in detail. We deduce the restrictions on the equation of state parameters that allow us to extend scale factor duality as an UV/IR symmetry of the cosmological models consistent with their thermodynamical behavior.
AO / PI Staining Test Results of Indocyanine Green-Based Photodynamic Therapy on PC-3 Prostate Cancer Cells

Anahtar Kelimeler Fotodinamik terapi, İndosiyanin yeşili, Yakın kızılaltı laser, Prostat kanseri tedavisi Özet: Fotodinamik terapi (FDT) prostat kanseri tedavisinde henüz araştırma aşamasında olan sağaltıcı bir alternatiftir. FDT, ışığa duyarlı bir kimyasal maddenin (fotosensitizan) ışık ile aktive edilmesi ve aktive olan kimyasalın kanserli bölgedeki hücre canlılığını baskılayıcı etkiye neden olması prensibine dayanmaktadır. Bu yeni tedavi yöntemi hem seçiciliği hem de yan etkilerinin azlığı nedeniyle alternatifler arasında ön plana çıkmaktadır. FDT’de kullanılan fotosensitizanın ışıksız ortamda sitotoksik olmaması ve vücuttan kolay atılabilmesi istenmektedir. Ayrıca herhangi bir fotosensitizanın yakın kızılaltı ışık ile aktive olması, bu dalgaboyunun deriye ve diğer dokulara daha fazla nüfuz etmesinden dolayı tercih sebebidir. Bu özelliklere sahip olan İndosiyanin Yeşili (ISY) daha çok floresans özelliği ile ön plana çıkmış ve görüntüleme amaçlı olarak kullanılmıştır. Bu in vitro çalışmada ISY-FDT’nin farklı inkübasyon süreleri sonundaki etkisi AO/PI boyama yöntemi kullanarak ortaya konmuştur. Elde edilen sonuçlar ISYFDT’nin hücre canlılığını baskıladığını göstermektedir.
The AIC Process : Generating Shared Visions for Community Development in Southeast Asia

"Participation" is arguably the most commonly mentioned term in the field of international development today. It has become an abstract concept, a mode of operation, an explicit output of projects, and, to some extent, an ideology. The concept was first defined in United Nations resolutions in the early 1970's, which indicates that its antecedents arose many years earlier. Progressive British colonial administrators were advocating participatory techniques in the 1920's and 30's to tackle widespread health problems in India. After the revolution in 1949, the Chinese government launched a nationwide campaign calling for popular participation to eradicate schistosomiasis and other diseases (Midgley 1986).
Response of Heat-Stressed Commercial Broilers To Dietary Supplementation of Organic Chromium

The responses of broilers to organic chromium (Cr) fed under heat stress were investigated. About 256 day old Cobb 500 broilers were divided into four dietary groups and fed iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets containing 0, 0.005, 0.010 and 0.015% organic Cr (yeast fermented) up to 35 days. Feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. Blood samples were collected at 22 and 34 days of age to determine serum parameters. On 35 days, 2 broilers from each replicate were slaughtered to determine carcass traits. Body weight and weight gain of broilers fed Cr were significantly increased at 21 and 35 days (P<0.01). Feed intake was not affected up to 21 days but increased in Cr groups (P<0.05) from 22 to 35 days. The lowest FCR was recorded for 0.010% Cr (P<0.01). A significant decrease (P<0.01) in abdominal fat were observed in Cr group. Antibody titer against Newcastle virus was increased (P<0.01) in both 0.005 and 0.010% Cr at 22 days. Heterophyl to lymphocyte ratio was decreased (P<0.01) in 0.010 and 0.015% Cr. It was therefore concluded that 0.010% dietary organic Cr supplementation may be used to improve productive performance and immune status with a reduction in abdominal fat content of broilers under heat stress condition.