Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the locality of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence scale fluxes

The scale locality of energy fluxes for magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is investigated numerically for stationary states of turbulence. Two types of forces are used to drive turbulence, a kinetic force that acts only on the velocity field and a kinetic-inductive force, which acts on the velocity and magnetic fields alike. The analysis is performed in spectral space, which is decomposed into a series of shells following a power law for the boundaries. The triadic transfers occurring among these shells are computed, and the fluxes and locality functions are obtained by partial summation over the relevant shells. Employing Kraichnan locality functions, values of 1/3 and 2/3 for the scaling exponents of the four MHD energy fluxes are found. These values are smaller than the value of 4/3 found for hydrodynamic turbulence. To better understand these results, an in depth analysis is performed on the total energy flux.
Sudden infant death syndrome: How significant are the cardiac channelopathies? B

Having an apparently healthy, thriving infant fail to reach his/her first birthday is profoundly tragic. This tragedy is compounded when the infant’s death is unexpected and unexplained, signed out as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Despite impressive success and welcome reductions in these tragic deaths due in large measure to ‘‘Back-to-Sleep’’ campaigns, the fundamental pathogenic mechanisms precipitating such deaths remain dimly exposed. Here, we review the causal link between SIDS and mutations involving the SCN5A -encoded cardiac sodium channel, provide new findings following extensive postmortem genetic testing of long QT syndrome (LQTS)-associated potassium channel genes in a population-based cohort of SIDS, and summarize the current understanding regarding the spectrum and prevalence of cardiac channelopathies in the pathogenesis of SIDS. D 2005 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Impact of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains on Health-Promoting Compounds in Wine

Moderate wine consumption is associated with human health benefits (reduction of cardiovascular risk and neurodegenerative diseases, decrease of onset of certain cancers) attributed to a series of bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols, with antioxidant power capable of counteracting the negative action of free radicals. Polyphenols are naturally present in the grapes, but an additional amount originates during winemaking. The aim of this work was to assess the ability of four commercial and two indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains to produce bioactive compounds (tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, tryptophol, melatonin and glutathione) during alcoholic fermentation. In order to exclude the fraction of antioxidant compounds naturally occurring in grapes, the strains were inoculated in a synthetic must. At the end of fermentation the bioactive compounds were analysed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, while antioxidant activity was measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Moreover, freeze-dried samples, originating from the experimental wines, were used to perform ex-vivo assays on cultured cells (RAW 264.7 murine macrophages) with the aim to evaluate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The results indicated that the production of the considered bioactive compounds is a strain-specific property; therefore, the different yeast strains utilized during fermentation have different capabilities to modify the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the wine.
Parametric polymorphism and operational improvement

Parametricity, in both operational and denotational forms, has long been a useful tool for reasoning about program correctness. However, there is as yet no comparable technique for reasoning about program improvement, that is, when one program uses fewer resources than another. Existing theories of parametricity cannot be used to address this problem as they are agnostic with regard to resource usage. This article addresses this problem by presenting a new operational theory of parametricity that is sensitive to time costs, which can be used to reason about time improvement properties. We demonstrate the applicability of our theory by showing how it can be used to prove that a number of well-known program fusion techniques are time improvements, including fixed point fusion, map fusion and short cut fusion.
Smart State: Queensland in the Knowledge Economy

This paper aims at providing some understanding of emerging elements of the knowledge economy and the policy frameworks that might be developed to foster regional entities that will prosper by meeting the challenges of engagement in the global knowledge economy. Through a review of extant and emerging literatures a novel conceptual framework is developed to assist in policy evaluation and development. This framework is then applied to Queensland's Smart State suite of policies. The paper concludes that Queensland has in place many elements of the policy framework required to foster a knowledge economy. It is argued however that several tensions within the policy framework are evident, and as this is an emergent area of policy development, further in-depth evaluation of both the policy settings and the effectiveness of policy is warranted.
P-type transparent conducting Li-doped ZnO thin films prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method

Li-doped p-type ZnO (ZnO :Li) thin films have been prepared under atmospheric pressure by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method (USP) at optimized substrate temperature of 350 °C. 0.3 M solution of zinc acetate in a mixture of Methanol was employed. Dopant source was lithium chloride (LiCl4) and the molar ratio of Li/Zn is 1%. The results show that Li-doped ZnO thin films were transparent, uniform and strongly adherent to the substrates. The optical transmittance was about 85% in a visible range. The optical band gaps of the films were calculated from Tauc plot. The Raman spectrum shows dominant peaks around 437cm , corresponding to the E2(high) mode of the Raman active mode, a characteristic peak for the wurtzite hexagonal phase of ZnO. No secondary phases were observed for the simple synthesis process adapted in the present work for the Li-doped ZnO films. The p–n heterojunction were prepared by depositing the Li-Doped ZnO film on the n-type silicon substrate. The current–voltage characteristics exhibited the rectifying behavior of a typical p– n junction. Such hetero-structures are promising to find potential applications in electronic and spintronic devices.
“… And a suitable living environment”: The failure of housing programs to deliver on neighborhood quality

Abstract This article evaluates the relative performance of housing programs in terms of neighborhood quality. We profile neighborhood characteristics surrounding assisted housing units and assess the direction of assisted housing policy in light of this information. The analysis relies on a housing census database we developed that identifies the type and census tract location of assisted housing units—that is, public housing, developments assisted under the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing Direct Loan Program, the low‐income housing tax credit, certificates and vouchers, and state rental assistance programs. We conclude that project‐based assistance programs do little to improve the quality of recipients’ neighborhoods relative to those of welfare households and, in the case of public housing, appear to make things significantly worse. The certificate and voucher programs, however, appear to reduce the probability that families will live in the most econo.
Comparative prevalence of pathogenic and spoilage microbes in chicken sausages from Egypt and Greece

This study investigated the spread of foodborne pathogens: Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella in chicken sausage samples collected from retail markets in Greece and Egypt during 2006 and from Egypt through 2010. Other microbiological parameters; total viable count (TVC), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), pseudomonads (PS), staphylococci (STAPH), Brochothrix thermosphacta (BT), Enterobacteriaceae (EN), Escherichia coli (EC), yeasts and moulds (YM with frequencies equivalent to 24%, 60% and 26% of the total samples during 2006 and 37.87%, 64.44% and 41.11% of the total samples during 2010, respectively, while Greek samples were entirely free of theses pathogens. Enrichment techniques indicated the absence of Salmonella from both Greek and Egyptian samples. The obtained results may mobilize food producers and handlers in developing countries to take the due measures reducing food-borne pathogen risks and spoilage flora alongside the poultry chain.
Gr upSM Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery for Renal Stones

The main aim in the treatment of renal stones is to clean the stones completely with the least morbidity. Parallel to the improvements in technology during recent years, new flexible ureterorenoscopes and effective lithotripthors like holmium laser have been developed, thus Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) has become an efficient and safe option in stone treatment. Therewithal, innovations in auxiliary equipment such as guide-wires, ureteral access sheath and stone baskets have made this procedure more effective. With this modality, nowadays, the vast majority of renal stones can be treated successfully without need of open surgery or Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL). RIRS can be used as a primary treatment in patients with renal stones smaller than 2 cm, prior unsuccessful Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL), infundibular stenosis, renoureteral malformation, skeletal-muscular deformity, bleeding diathesis as well as obese patients. The efficiency of this procedure has been also proved in pediatric patients. In this chapter, recent advances in flexible ureteroscopes and auxiliary equipment as well as indications, surgical technique and complications will be discussed with up-to-date literature.
Domain Decomposition for Quasi-Periodic Scattering by Layered Media via Robust Boundary-Integral Equations at All Frequencies

We develop a non-overlapping domain decomposition method (DDM) for the solution of quasi-periodic scalar transmission problems in layered media. Our approach relies on robust boundary-integral equation formulations of Robin-to-Robin (RtR) maps throughout the frequency spectrum, including at Wood, or cutoff, frequencies. We overcome the obstacle of non-convergent quasi-periodic Green functions at these frequencies by incorporating newly introduced shifted quasi-periodic Green functions. Using the latter in the definition of our quasi-periodic boundary-integral operators leads to rigorously stable computations of RtR operators. We develop Nystr\"om discretizations of the RtR maps that rely on trigonometric interpolation, singularity resolution, and fast convergent windowed quasi-periodic Green functions. We solve the tridiagonal DDM system via recursive Schur complements and we establish rigorously that this procedure is always completed successfully. We present a variety of numerical results concerning Wood frequencies in two and three dimensions as well as large numbers of layers.
The Economic Limits of Bitcoin and the Blockchain

The amount of computational power devoted to anonymous, decentralized blockchains such as Bitcoin's must simultaneously satisfy two conditions in equilibrium: (1) a zero-profit condition among miners, who engage in a rent-seeking competition for the prize associated with adding the next block to the chain; and (2) an incentive compatibility condition on the system's vulnerability to a “majority attack”, namely that the computational costs of such an attack must exceed the benefits. Together, these two equations imply that (3) the recurring, “flow”, payments to miners for running the blockchain must be large relative to the one-off, “stock”, benefits of attacking it. This is very expensive! The constraint is softer (i.e., stock versus stock) if both (i) the mining technology used to run the blockchain is both scarce and non-repurposable, and (ii) any majority attack is a “sabotage” in that it causes a collapse in the economic value of the blockchain; however, reliance on non-repurposable technology for security and vulnerability to sabotage each raise their own concerns, and point to specific collapse scenarios. In particular, the model suggests that Bitcoin would be majority attacked if it became sufficiently economically important — e.g., if it became a “store of value” akin to gold — which suggests that there are intrinsic economic limits to how economically important it can become in the first place.
Experimental Realization of Controlled Square Root of Z Gate Using IBM's Cloud Quantum Experience Platform

Quantum computers form a technological cluster with huge growth in the last few years. Although this technology is of still very limited size: perhaps the reason it is not seen as a technology which may be mass produced or of public use in the near future: it is one of the most promising developments with a potential to change the world. The IBM Quantum Experience Platform makes it possible for every person around the world, without limitation as to geographical location, to get acquainted with the technology of quantum computing. It is a resource for both researchers and enthusiasts entering the quantum world. With the development of the platform, IBM has proven that the programming and writing code executable on a quantum computer can be easy and accessible (it is a cloud platform) even to people lacking any deep knowledge of quantum mechanics. The construction of the Controlled Square Root of Z gate is achieved using only existing predefined gates in the Composer tool. This newly created gate could be used for further work on quantum algorithms and opens a new feasible way to write quantum code.
IS THE LARGE FIRM WAGE PREMIUM DEAD OR MERELY RESTING ?

Large firms pay higher wages than smaller firms even after controlling for the quality of a worker. While this empirical fact may seem surprising, it has been shown to hold true in many countries during most of the twentieth century, going back to the first analysis of the subject by Moore (1911). In this paper, we show that the large-firm wage premium (LFWP), which we define as the gap between the average wage earnings of employees in large versus small firms (without controlling for worker characteristics), has declined significantly since the early 1980s. The simplest illustration of this fact— and our first main result—is shown in Figure 1, which plots the LFWP in each five-year period between a 100-employee firm (about the twenty-fifth percentile of employment-weighted
The use of well-being therapy in clinical settings

The concept of psychological well-being and its clinical implications are discussed. A specific psychotherapeutic strategy for increasing psychological well-being, Well-being therapy (WBT), is presented, with a focus on the promotion of an individualized and balanced path to achieve optimal human functioning. The polarities in positive psychological dimensions and their clinical implications are particularly described . WBT has been developed and tested in a number of randomized controlled trials. Recently, international validation studies have replicated the Italian results. The findings indicate that optimal human functioning can be promoted by specific techniques , leading to a positive evaluation of one’s self, a sense of continued growth and development, the belief that life is purposeful and meaningful, the possession of quality relations with others, the capacity to manage effectively one’s life, and a sense of self-determination.
Clustering of Gaussian Random Vector Fields in Multiple Trajectory Modelling

This paper concerns the estimation of multiple dynamical models from a set of observed trajectories. It proposes vector valued gaussian random fields, representing dynamical models and their vector fields, combined with a modified k-means clustering algorithm to assign observed trajectories to models. The assignment is done according to a likelihood function obtained from applying the random field associated to a cluster, to the data. The algorithm is shown to have several advantages when compared with others: 1) it does not depend on a grid, region of interest, grid resolution or interpolation method; 2) the estimated vector fields has an associated uncertainty which is given by the algorithm and taken into account. The paper presents results obtained on synthetic trajectories that illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithm.
Serum Uric Acid and Cardiovascular Mortality: The NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, 1971-1992

ContextAlthough many epidemiological studies have suggested that increased serum uric acid levels are a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, this relationship remains uncertain.ObjectiveTo determine the association of serum uric acid levels with cardiovascular mortality.Design and SettingCross-sectional population-based study of epidemiological follow-up data from the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) from 1971-1975 (baseline) and data from NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (NHEFS). ParticipantsA total of 5926 subjects who were aged 25 to 74 years and had serum uric acid level measurements at baseline.Main Outcome MeasuresIschemic heart disease mortality, total cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality, compared by quartiles of serum uric acid level.ResultsIn an average of 16.4 years of follow-up, 1593 deaths occurred, of which 731 (45.9%) were ascribed to cardiovascular disease. Increased serum uric acid levels had a positive relationship to cardiovascular mortality in men and women and in black and white persons. Deaths due to ischemic heart disease in both men and women increased when serum uric acid levels were in the highest quartile compared with the lowest quartile (men, >416 vs <321 µmol/L; risk ratio, 1.77 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.08-3.98]; women, >333 vs <238 µmol/L; risk ratio, 3.00 [95% CI, 1.45-6.28]). Cox regression analysis showed that for each 59.48-µmol/L increase in uric acid level, cardiovascular mortality and ischemic heart disease mortality increased. Hazard ratios for men were 1.09 (95% CI, 1.02-1.18) and 1.17 (95% CI, 1.06-1.28), and for women were 1.26 (95% CI, 1.16-1.36) and 1.30 (95% CI, 1.17-1.45), respectively, after adjustment for age, race, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, cholesterol level, history of hypertension and diabetes, and diuretic use. Further analysis, stratifying by cardiovascular risk status, diuretic use, and menopausal status, confirmed a significant association of uric acid and cardiovascular mortality in all subgroups except among men using diuretics (n=79) and men with 1 or more cardiovascular risk factors (n=1140). ConclusionOur data suggest that increased serum uric acid levels are independently and significantly associated with risk of cardiovascular mortality.
Comparing Realtime Energy-Optimizing Controllers for Heat Pumps

Two alternative realtime gradient descent algorithms for energy-optimizing control of a multizone heat pump system are considered. In the first approach, a model of the compressor and outdoor fan power consumption is used to obtain the gradient of power with respect to highand low-side pressures and actuator settings. From this relationship, a gradient descent controller is obtained to drive the outdoor fan speed to a value that is predicted to minimize the power consumption. In the second approach, a time-varying extremum seeking controller is derived. Extremum seeking controllers estimate the gradient of the mapping between the system input and a measurement, and steers the input to a value that minimizes the measurement. Determination of the gradient information is model-free so that estimation and control are simultaneously performed on the system. As with the prior approach, the outdoor fan is controlled to a value that minimizes power. A multi-physical model of the heat pump is used to compare the controllers performance. The convergence rate is compared from an initial condition response where the outdoor fan is initialized to a suboptimal starting speed. The sensitivity to modeling error is judged by considering operating points distinct from the conditions at which linearization in the model-based approach is calculated. We show that because the model-based optimizer benefits from problem-specific information, convergence to a final value is faster than extremum seeking and that this final value is near the true optimizer, but not guaranteed to reach the true optimum in the presence of modeling errors. Conversely, we show that the extremum seeking converges more slowly that the model-based approach, but because ESC actively experiments with the plant online, the true optimizer is reached. International Refrigeration and Air conditioning Conference at Purdue This work may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part for any commercial purpose. Permission to copy in whole or in part without payment of fee is granted for nonprofit educational and research purposes provided that all such whole or partial copies include the following: a notice that such copying is by permission of Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.; an acknowledgment of the authors and individual contributions to the work; and all applicable portions of the copyright notice. Copying, reproduction, or republishing for any other purpose shall require a license with payment of fee to Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright c © Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc., 2018 201 Broadway, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
Discovery via Boosted Ensemble of Nonnegative Matrix Factorization

Nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) has been increasingly popular for topic modeling of largescale documents. However, the resulting topics often represent only general, thus redundant information about the data rather than minor, but potentially meaningful information to users. To tackle this problem, we propose a novel ensemble model of nonnegative matrix factorization for discovering high-quality local topics. Our method leverages the idea of an ensemble model to successively perform NMF given a residual matrix obtained from previous stages and generates a sequence of topic sets. The novelty of our method lies in the fact that it utilizes the residual matrix inspired by a state-of-theart gradient boosting model and applies a sophisticated local weighting scheme on the given matrix to enhance the locality of topics, which in turn delivers high-quality, focused topics of interest to users.1
Non-Parametric Path Analysis in Structural Causal Models

One of the fundamental tasks in causal inference is to decompose the observed association between a decision X and an outcome Y into its most basic structural mechanisms. In this paper, we introduce counterfactual measures for effects along with a specific mechanism, represented as a path from X to Y in an arbitrary structural causal model. We derive a novel non-parametric decomposition formula that expresses the covariance of X and Y as a sum over unblocked paths from X to Y contained in an arbitrary causal model. This formula allows a fine-grained path analysis without requiring a commitment to any particular parametric form, and can be seen as a generalization of Wright’s decomposition method in linear systems (1923,1932) and Pearl’s nonparametric mediation formula (2001).