Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermal stability of metastable magnetic skyrmions: Entropic narrowing and significance of internal eigenmodes

We compute annihilation rates of metastable magnetic skyrmions using a form of Langer's theory in the intermediate-to-high damping (IHD) regime. For a Neel skyrmion, a Bloch skyrmion, and an antiskyrmion, we look at two possible paths to annihilation: collapse and escape through a boundary. We also study the effects of a curved versus a flat boundary, a second skyrmion, and a nonmagnetic defect. We find that the skyrmion's internal modes play a dominant role in the thermally activated transitions compared to the spin-wave excitations and that the relative contribution of internal modes depends on the nature of the transition process. Our calculations for a small skyrmion stabilized at zero field show that collapse on a defect is the most probable path. In the absence of a defect, the annihilation is largely dominated by escape mechanisms, even though in this case the activation energy is higher than that of collapse processes. Escape through a flat boundary is found more probable than through a curved boundary. The potential source of stability of metastable skyrmions is therefore found not to lie in high activation energies, nor in the dynamics at the transition state, but comes from entropic narrowing in the saddle point region which leads to lowered attempt frequencies. This narrowing effect is found to be primarily associated with the skyrmion's internal modes.
Overview: Youth Employment in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa has just experienced one of the best decades of growth since the 1960s. Between 2000 and 2012, gross domestic product (GDP) grew more than 4.5 percent a year on average, compared to around 2 percent in the prior 20 years (World Bank various years). In 2012, the region’s GDP growth was estimated at 4.7 percent—5.8 percent if South Africa is excluded (World Bank 2013). About one-quarter of countries in the region grew at 7 percent or better, and several African countries are among the fastest growing in the world. Medium-term growth prospects remain strong and should be supported by a rebounding global economy. At the same time, many Africans are dissatisfied with this economic progress. According to the latest Afrobarometer data, 65 percent of the surveyed population consider economic conditions in their country to be the same or worse than the year prior, 53 percent rate their national economic condition as “very bad” or “fairly bad,” and 48 percent say the same about their personal economic condition (Afrobarometer 2011–12. www.afrobarometer.org). The incidence of poverty has fallen as SubSaharan economies have expanded, yet overall growth in Sub-Saharan Africa has not been as pro-poor as growth in other regions. Each 1 percent increase in average per capita consumption has been associated with a reduction in poverty of 0.69 percent; elsewhere in the world, that reduction has averaged just over 2 percent (World Bank 2013). In part, Africa’s poverty reduction has been less marked because in many countries the source of growth is primarily oil, gas, and mineral extraction, not labor-intensive sectors such as agriculture or manufacturing. Young people, who have weaker links to the world of work than the general population, are therefore doubly disadvantaged. Although the current generation of Africans entering the labor force is the most educated ever, many are finding that their prospects for employment and earnings differ very little from those of their parents. In a few countries, they are worse. Youth in urban areas have been vocal about their dissatisfaction. Urban demonstrations
Sex differences in activated CRF neurons within stress-related neurocircuitry and HPA axis hormones following restraint in rats

Women may be more vulnerable to certain stress-related psychiatric illnesses than men due to differences in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis function. To investigate potential sex differences in forebrain regions associated with HPA axis activation in rats, these experiments utilized acute exposure to a psychological stressor. Male and female rats in various stages of the estrous cycle were exposed to 30 min of restraint, producing a robust HPA axis hormonal response in all animals, the magnitude of which was significantly higher in female rats. Although both male and female animals displayed equivalent c-fos expression in many brain regions known to be involved in the detection of threatening stimuli, three regions had significantly higher expression in females: the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), the anteroventral division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTav), and the medial preoptic area (MPOA). Dual fluorescence in-situ hybridization analysis of neurons containing c-fos and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) mRNA in these regions revealed significantly more c-fos and CRF single-labeled neurons, as well as significantly more double-labeled neurons in females. Surprisingly, there was no effect of the estrous cycle on any measure analyzed, and an additional experiment revealed no demonstrable effect of estradiol replacement following ovariectomy on HPA axis hormone induction following stress. Taken together, these data suggest sex differences in HPA axis activation in response to perceived threat may be influenced by specific populations of CRF neurons in key stress-related brain regions, the BSTav, MPOA, and PVN, which may be independent of circulating sex steroids.
INCIDENCE AND MORTALITY OF SPONTANEOUS SAH IN HONG KONG age and time trends and on the 1-year mortality rates with regards to time trends in

-BACKGROUND: Ninety-five percent of the Hong Kong population is Chinese, and no previous epidemiological study has focused on spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in Hong Kong. These data would have significant public health implications and can guide future resource allocations and service development in Hong Kong. The aim of this study was to investigate the local incidences of spontaneous SAH and 1-year mortality rates in Hong Kong, with the respective time trends in recent years.
Computational investigation of wall shear stress-driven in-stent restenosis

When an artery occludes the insufficient blood supply to downstream districts may lead to myocardial infarction, stroke or necrosis. To reopen the artery a stent is inserted through a catheter into the stenosed location. After some weeks from the intervention the artery can re-occlude again as result of a patho-physiological remodelling process called in-stent restenosis. It is documented that restenosis rate ranges from 20 % to 30 % for bare metal stents, therefore requiring additional surgical interventions [1]. The occurrence of restenosis is partly related to alteration of the flow into the artery produced by the presence of the stent and detected by the endothelial cells. In this study we try to understand the relation between stent design, endothelial Wall Shear Stress and restenosis.
Search strategy Developmental outcome Development Origins Low birth weight Pediatric obesity Cardiovascular disease Schizophrenia Autism Metabolic / nutritional exposure Obesity Gestational diabetes Food Iron Infectious exposure Infection HIV Malaria Tuberculosis

The prenatal environment is now recognized as a key driver of non-communicable disease risk later in life. Within the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) paradigm, studies are increasingly identifying links between maternal morbidity during pregnancy and disease later in life for offspring. Nutrient restriction, metabolic disorders during gestation, such as diabetes or obesity, and maternal immune activation provoked by infection have been linked to adverse health outcomes for offspring later in life. These factors frequently co-occur, but the potential for compounding effects of multiple morbidities on DOHaD-related outcomes has not received adequate attention. This is of particular importance in lowor middle-income countries (LMICs), which have ongoing high rates of infectious diseases and are now experiencing transitions from undernutrition to excess adiposity. The purpose of this scoping review is to summarize studies examining the effect and interaction of co-occurring metabolic or nutritional stressors and infectious diseases during gestation on DOHaD-related health outcomes. We identified nine studies in humans – four performed in the United States and five in LMICs. The most common outcome, also in seven of nine studies, was premature birth or low birth weight. We identified nine animal studies, six in mice, two in rats and one in sheep. The interaction between metabolic/nutritional exposures and infectious exposures had varying effects including synergism, inhibition and independent actions. No human studies were specifically designed to assess the interaction of metabolic/nutritional exposures and infectious diseases. Future studies of neonatal outcomes should measure these exposures and explicitly examine their concerted effect.
FUNDAÇÃO GETULIO VARGAS ESCOLA DE ECONOMIA DE SÃO PAULO THIAGO DE LUCENA COELHO A NEW PLAYING FIELD: RETROSPECTIVE VOTING AND SOCCER IN BRAZIL

This paper purpose is to study the possible impact that emotional biases might have on voters’ judgements when we use a retrospective voting framework. In order to do so we use soccer as the instrument that may influence mood and emotions. Our fixed effect models show that wins on the election weekend are associated with a increase in incumbent voting, indicating that emotional biases (and soccer) may, in fact, influence voters.
Trends : An Indicator of Epidemic Behavior

Introduction. Dengue Fever is a neglected increasing public health thread. Developing countries are facing surveillance system problems like delay and data loss. Lately, the access and the availability of health-related information on the internet have changed what people seek on the web. In 2004 Google developed Google Dengue Trends (GDT) based on the number of search terms related with the disease in a determined time and place. The goal of this review is to evaluate the accuracy of GDT in comparison with traditional surveillance systems in Venezuela. Methods. Weekly epidemic data from GDT, Official Reported Cases (ORC) and Expected Cases (EC) according the Ministry of Health (MH) was obtained Monthly and yearly correlation between GDT and ORC from 2004 until 2014 was obtained. Linear regressions taking the reported cases as dependent variable were calculated. Results. The overall Pearson correlation between GDT and ORC was r=0.87 (p<0.001), while between ORC and EC according the Ministry of Health (MH) was r=0.33 (p<0.001). After clustering data in epidemic and non-epidemic weeks in comparison with GDT correlation were r=0.86 (p<0.001) and r=0.65 (p<0.001) respectively. Important interannual variation of the epidemic was observed. The model shows a high accuracy in comparison with the EC, particularly when the incidence of the disease is higher. Conclusions. This early warning tool can be used as an indicator for other communicable
Self-concept and engagement of trainees attending the training courses for petty officers 1 st class

Conceptual Framework: Self-perceptions influence individuals’ receptiveness to the task and the way they pursue its accomplishment. Therefore, it is of the uttermost importance to analyze the influence of trainee self-concept in their engagement toward tasks. Objectives: The present study aims to analyze how self-concept influences the engagement of trainees attending the Training Courses for Petty Officers 1st Class (CFS). Methodology: The study methodology made use of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (Schaufeli, Salanova, González-Romá & Bakker, 2002), the Assessment Scale for Trainee Engagement in the Portuguese Navy (Frade & Veiga, 2014; Frade, 2015), as well as the Assessment Scale for Trainee Self-concept in the Portuguese Navy (Frade & Veiga, in press; Frade, 2015). The sample was comprised of 149 trainees from the CFS of the Portuguese Navy. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The results point to the important influence of selfconcept in the engagement dimensions as a way to encourage the engagement of trainees from the Portuguese Navy. Suggestions to future studies are presented.
The DARPA Autonomous Robotic Manipulation ( ARM ) program : a synopsis

This paper summarizes an ongoing research program to advance the state of the art in robotics: the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Autonomous Robotic Manipulation (ARM) program. The program began in 2010 with three tracks, which was later extended to four. The software track is developing intelligent control of manipulators to perform autonomous tasks, using local perception sensors. The hand track has developed rugged, dexterous, multi-fingered hands with significantly reduced costs. The arm track is working to reduce the cost of robot arms. And the outreach track is showcasing robot technology to the general public. Technology developed under the program is iteratively evaluated through a series of hands-off tests. To date, the ARM developers have performed beyond expectations, yielding outstanding hardware designs and robust manipulation software. The results of this program are expected to strengthen the general robotics community and transition technology to U.S. military efforts. D. Hackett (B) Griffin Technologies, Fort Washington, PA, USA e-mail: dhackett@griffin-technologies.com J. Pippine Golden Knight Technologies, Fairfax, VA, USA e-mail: Jim@goldenknighttechnologies.com A. Watson · C. Sullivan Mechanismo, Reston, VA, USA e-mail: adam@mechanismollc.com C. Sullivan e-mail: chad@mechanismollc.com G. Pratt Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Arlington, VA, USA e-mail: gpratt@darpa.mil
Reconnection of Line Singularities—Description and Mechanism

Reconnection process of line singularities in the viscous fluid is explained and possible interpretations on its mechanism are given. Reconnection processes in various other physical systems are also explained, such as the vortex filaments in the superfluid, the disclinations in liquid crystals and the magnetic lines in plasmas. Similarities among these processes are suggested. It is emphasized that dissipative effects within the narrow region where the reconnection is taking place is essential for its occurrence.
Effects of pipes corrugated shapes on the friction factor

Corrugated pipes are pipes with walls of rough surfaces consisting of discrete grooves periodically disposed along the flow direction and commonly use in engineering application such as irrigation, delivery devices to main distribution ducts as in transport of Liquid Natural Gas from ships to the mainland distribution network and heat exchanger in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning etc. The simulation of turbulent, incompressible, isothermal and single-phase flow is considered for five geometric configurations of corrugated surfaces with the different groove heights, length and spacing were evaluated in order to compare their influence on the friction factor. The numerical analysis was carried out using computational fluid dynamics, and the two-equation turbulence models was used to compute the friction factors and Reynolds number for comparison. The results shows that the friction factor is not solely depend on the roughness height but also on the thickness of the roughness and space between successive roughness.
Interactive effects of keystone rodents on the structure of desert grassland arthropod communities

Certain species play particularly large roles in ecosystems, and are often referred to as keystones. However, little is known about the interactive effects of these species where they co-occur. Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) and banner-tailed kangaroo rats Dipodomys spectabilis are commonly considered keystone species of grassland ecosystems, creating a mosaic of unique habitats on the landscape through ecosystem engineering and herbivory. We examined the separate and interactive effects of these species on the structure of grassland arthropod communities. We conducted a cross-site study at two locations in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, and evaluated the impacts of these rodents on ground-dwelling arthropod and grasshopper communities in areas where prairie dogs and kangaroo rats co-occurred compared to areas where each rodent species occurred alone. Our results demonstrate that prairie dogs (C. gunnisoni and C. ludovicianus ) and banner-tailed kangaroo rats had keystone-level impacts on arthropod communities both separately and interactively. Their burrow systems provided important habitats for multiple trophic and taxonomic groups of arthropods, and increased overall arthropod abundance and species richness. Many arthropods also were attracted to the aboveground habitats around the mounds and across the landscapes where the rodents occurred. Detritivores, predators, ants, grasshoppers, and rare rodent burrow inhabitants were especially associated with prairie dog and kangaroo rat activity. The impacts of prairie dogs and kangaroo rats were unique, and the habitats they created supported different assemblages of arthropods. Where both rodent species co-occurred, there was greater heterogeneity and arthropod diversity on the landscape. Our results suggest that the interaction of multiple keystones, especially those with engineering roles, results in unique and more diverse communities in time and space.
Prevalence and Trends of Functional Visual Impairment : Survey of Income and Program Participation 1984 – 2010

Objective: To explore trends in the prevalence of self-reported visual impairment in the noninstitutionalized adult US population during the 27-year period from 1984 to 2010. Design: Data obtained from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) were used to analyze trends in the prevalence of self-reported visual impairment in the United States. Participants: Representative, population-based samples of between 45 000 and 92 000 adults (NHIS) and between 37 000 and 71 000 adults (SIPP) during each year of data collection. Methods: Survey results were age-adjusted to a standard (2010) population. Sampling weights were used throughout the analysis using strata and primary sampling unit variables provided in the public use datasets to appropriately take into account the complex design of the surveys. The statistical significance of trends was estimated by computing the difference in chi-squares of a fit to a linear trendline and a fit without a trend. Main Outcome Measures: The trends and percent change in the prevalence of visual impairment from 1984 to 1996 and from 1997 to 2010 for NHIS and 1984 to 2010 for SIPP. Results: On the basis of NHIS data, the prevalence of activity-limiting visual impairment among persons aged 65 years declined by 51.7% (P 0.001), from 3.5% in 1984 to 1.7% in 1996, and by 45.8% (P 0.001), from 3.1% in 1997 to 1.7% in 2010. On the basis of SIPP data, the prevalence of functional visual impairment in the same age category declined by 58.3% (P 0.001), from 23.3% in 1984 to 9.7% in 2010, whereas the prevalence of severe functional impairment declined by 47.1% (P 0.001), from 5.1% to 2.7%. Conclusions: There was a marked reduction in the prevalence of self-reported visual impairment in the noninstitutionalized adult US population during the period from 1984 to 2010. Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references. Ophthalmology 2012;119:2028–2032 © 2012 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The incretin effect After the proposal of ‘ secretin ’ as a blood-borne factor coordinating the arrival of food in the upper small intestine with exocrine pancreatic secretion

The incretin hormones glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are secreted from enteroendocrine cells in the gut and regulate physiological and homeostatic functions related to glucose control, metabolism and food intake. This review provides a systematic summary of the molecular mechanisms underlying secretion from incretin cells, and an understanding of how they sense and interact with lumen and vascular factors and the enteric nervous system through transporters and G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) present on their surface to ultimately culminate in hormone release. Some of the molecules described below such as sodium coupled glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1), G-protein coupled receptor (GPR) 119 and GPR40 are targets of novel therapeutics designed to enhance endogenous gut hormone release. Synthetic ligands at these receptors aimed at treating obesity and type 2 diabetes are currently under investigation.
Fabrication of Novel, Structured, Bimodal Particle and CNT Composites, with Low Percolation Thresholds

In the segregated network theory of electrical percolation the structure of the conducting network dictates the volume of filler required to reach percolation. 2000 thousand years ago Appollonius of Perga showed that successively smaller circles would fill the interstices of larger circles. In the early 20th century Furnas described how by using a bimodal particle system it was possible for particles to pack in the same way as described by Appollonius and so create materials with a high density and low void fractions. By applying this theory to CNT-Latex composites, it has been possible to force CNTs to fill this reduced void space and so form a connected network at a much lower volume of filler and hence produce films with very low percolation thresholds. This work has also shown the direct dependence of the percolation threshold on the void fraction of the matrix and so can be controlled more effectively through particle choice.
A Critical Review on Self Compacting Concrete Using Recycled Coarse Aggregate

Thispaperpresentstheinfluenceofdifferentamountsofrecycledcoarseaggregate(RCA)obtainedfromadem olished C a n c e r H o s p i t a l , L o c a t e d a t R a j k o t , G u j a r a t ,about50yearsoldonthepropertiesofself- compactingconcrete(SCC)andcomparedtheresultswithnormalvibratedconcrete(NVC)containing100%naturalcoa rseaggregate(NCA). Importantpropertiessuchas physicaland mechanicalpropertiesofnaturalandrecycledaggregatesarecarriedout.NCAispartiallyreplacedwithRCAbyanamou nt10%,20%,30%, 40% and 50%. Theeffectof RCAon thepropertiesof SCCin greenstate(e.g.Slumpflowtest,V- FunneltestandL-BoxTest)and propertiesofconcreteinhardenedstate(e.g.compressivestrength,flexuralstrength,andSplittensileStrength)arestudie d.Themix designwascarriedoutforM30gradeofconcrete.Theexperimentalresultsindicatethatthecompressivestrength,flexural strengthand splittensilestrengthis high than the use of Recycled coarse aggregate and the strength of SCC decreases with an increase in recycled aggregate (RA) replacement ratios. The presentstudy recommendsSCCmarginally achievesrequired compressive strengthupto30%replacementofRCA.
Long-Term Farming Trends. An Inquiry Using Agricultural Censuses

This paper provides a long-term and global view at current farming trends by analyzing a specially created database of farming characteristics of 17 countries across 43 different agricultural censuses representing the different developing regions of the world. The study shows that while agricultural land appears to be a constraint in central and East Asia, it has been under expansion in Latin America, Northern Africa, and most of Sub Saharan Africa. We also estimate that 9 out of 10 farms are small (i.e. smaller than 2 ha). These farms are more specialized in staple crops than their larger counterparts, and exhibit slower productivity growth.