Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attendance, Completion, and Heterogeneous Returns to College: A Causal Mediation Approach

A growing body of social science research investigates whether the economic payoff to a college education is heterogeneous — in particular, whether disadvantaged youth can benefit more from attending and completing college relative to their more advantaged peers. Scholars, however, have employed different analytical strategies and reported mixed findings. To shed light on this literature, I propose a causal mediation approach to conceptualizing, evaluating, and unpacking the causal effects of college on earnings. By decomposing the total effect of attending a four-year college into several direct and indirect components, this approach not only clarifies the mechanisms through which college attendance boosts earnings, but illuminates the ways in which the postsecondary system may be both an equalizer and a stratifier. The total effect of college attendance, its direct and indirect components, and their heterogeneity across different subpopulations are all identified under the assumption of sequential ignorability. I introduce a debiased machine learning (DML) method for estimating all quantities of interest, along with a set of bias formulas for sensitivity analysis. I illustrate the proposed framework and methodology using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1997 cohort.
Substorm statistics: Occurrences and amplitudes

The occurrences and amplitudes of substorms are statistically investigated with the use of three data sets: the AL index, the Los Alamos 3-satellite geosynchronous energetic-electron measurements, and the GOES-5 and -6 geosynchronous magnetic-field measurements. The investigation utilizes {approximately} 13,800 substorms in AL, {approximately} 1400 substorms in the energetic-electron flux, and {approximately} 100 substorms in the magnetic field. The rate of occurrence of substorms is determined as a function of the time of day, the time of year, the amount of magnetotail bending, the orientation of the geomagnetic dipole, the toward/away configuration of the IMF, and the parameters of the solar wind. The relative roles of dayside reconnection and viscous coupling in the production of substorms are assessed. Three amplitudes are defined for a substorms: the jump in the AL index, the peak of the >30-keV integral electron flux at geosynchronous orbit near midnight, and the angle of rotation of the geosynchronous magnetic field near midnight. The substorm amplitudes are statistically analyzed, the amplitude measurements are cross correlated with each other, and the substorm amplitudes are determined as functions of the solar-wind parameters. Periodically occurring and randomly occurring substorms are analyzed separately. The energetic-particle-flux amplitudes are consistent with unloading and themore » AL amplitudes are consistent with direct driving plus unloading. « less
Discrete Quantum Spectrum of Observable Correlations from Inflation

The decoherence of quantum fluctuations into classical perturbations during inflation is discussed. A simple quantum mechanical argument, using a spatial particle wavefunction rather than a field description, shows that observable correlations from inflation must have a discrete spectrum, since they originate and freeze into the metric within a compact region. The number of discrete modes is estimated using a holographic bound on the number of degrees of freedom. The discreteness may be detectable in some models; for example, if there is a fundamental universal frequency spectrum, the inflationary gravitational wave background may be resolvable into discrete emission lines.
Information-Theoretic Analysis of EEG Signals to Differentiate Schizophrenic Patients with Positive and Negative Symptoms and Control Group

Background: The precise differentiation of schizophrenic patients with positive and negative symptoms is still challenging; hence, psychiatrists mainly focus on diagnosing schizophrenic patients with positive symptoms. However, schizophrenic patients with negative symptoms have revealed remarkably poor outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to differentiate schizophrenic patients with positive and negative dominant symptoms quantitatively by classifying their electroencephalography (EEG) features. Methods: In this study, 36 patients with schizophrenia and 26 age-matched control subjects voluntarily participated. Their EEG signals were captured and characterized by elicited multiscale entropy to decode the number of irregularities captured in each EEG channel. The principal component analysis (PCA) was deployed to decrease the dimension of elicited features, and the reduced features were applied to three Gaussian Naive Bayes classifiers, each of which was trained for a specific class. Results: The classification of the three groups resulted in 77.86% accuracy, while this accuracy in the schizophrenic groups provided 65% accuracy. In the resting state, the normal and schizophrenic subjects were differentiated by a high rate (95.43%). Conclusions: Exploiting information-theoretic features of the EEG signals over the scalp and automatic classification of these features, we can well-differentiate schizophrenic patients with different dominant symptoms. Moreover, better classification results can be achieved by passing the EEG features through PCA.
Descriptor feature based on local binary pattern for face classification

Local Binary Patterns (LBP) is a non-parametric descriptor whose purpose is to effectively summarize local image configurations. It has generated increasing interest in many aspects including facial image analysis, vision detection, facial expression analysis, demographic classification, etc. in recent years and has proven useful in various applications. This paper presents a local binary pattern based face recognition (LBP) technology using a Vector Support Machine (SVM). Combine the local characteristics of LBP with universal characteristics so that the general picture characteristics are more robust. To reduce dimension and maximize discrimination, super vector machines (SVM) are used. Screened and Evaluated (FAR), FARR and Accuracy Score (Acc), not only on the Yale Face database but also on the expanded Yale Face Database B datasets, the test results indicate that the approach is accurate and practical, and gives a recognition rate of 98 %.
Influence of Printing Parameters on Self-Cleaning Properties of 3D Printed Polymeric Fabrics

The processes for making self-cleaning textile fabrics have been extensively discussed in the literature. However, the exploration of the potential for self-cleaning by controlling the fabrication parameters of the fabric at the microscopic level has not been addressed. The current evolution in 3D printing technology provides an opportunity to control parameters during fabric manufacturing and generate self-cleaning features at the woven structural level. Fabrication of 3D printed textile fabrics using the low-cost fused filament fabrication (FFF) technique has been achieved. Printing parameters such as orientation angle, layer height, and extruder width were used to control self-cleaning microscopic features in the printed fabrics. Self-cleaning features such as surface roughness, wettability contact angle, and porosity were analyzed for different values of printing parameters. The combination of three printing parameters was adjusted to provide the best self-cleaning textile fabric surface: layer height (LH) (0.15, 0.13, 0.10 mm) and extruder width (EW) (0.5, 0.4, 0.3 mm) along with two different angular printing orientations (O) (45° and 90°). Three different thermoplastic flexible filaments printing materials were used: thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU 98A), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE felaflex), and thermoplastic co-polyester (TPC flex45). Self-cleaning properties were quantified using a pre-set defined criterion. The optimization of printing parameters was modeled to achieve the best self-cleaning features for the printed specimens.
Irrigated Crop Types Mapping in Tashkent Province of Uzbekistan with Remote Sensing-Based Classification Methods

Appropriate crop type mapping to monitor and control land management is very important in developing countries. It can be very useful where digital cadaster maps are not available or usage of Remote Sensing (RS) data is not utilized in the process of monitoring and inventory. The main goal of the present research is to compare and assess the importance of optical RS data in crop type classification using medium and high spatial resolution RS imagery in 2018. With this goal, Landsat 8 (L8) and Sentinel-2 (S2) data were acquired over the Tashkent Province between the crop growth period of May and October. In addition, this period is the only possible time for having cloud-free satellite images. The following four indices “Normalized Difference Vegetation Index” (NDVI), “Enhanced Vegetation Index” (EVI), and “Normalized Difference Water Index” (NDWI1 and NDWI2) were calculated using blue, red, near-infrared, shortwave infrared 1, and shortwave infrared 2 bands. Support-Vector-Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF) classification methods were used to generate the main crop type maps. As a result, the Overall Accuracy (OA) of all indices was above 84% and the highest OA of 92% was achieved together with EVI-NDVI and the RF method of L8 sensor data. The highest Kappa Accuracy (KA) was found with the RF method of L8 data when EVI (KA of 88%) and EVI-NDVI (KA of 87%) indices were used. A comparison of the classified crop type area with Official State Statistics (OSS) data about sown crops area demonstrated that the smallest absolute weighted average (WA) value difference (0.2 thousand ha) was obtained using EVI-NDVI with RF method and NDVI with SVM method of L8 sensor data. For S2-sensor data, the smallest absolute value difference result (0.1 thousand ha) was obtained using EVI with RF method and 0.4 thousand ha using NDVI with SVM method. Therefore, it can be concluded that the results demonstrate new opportunities in the joint use of Landsat and Sentinel data in the future to capture high temporal resolution during the vegetation growth period for crop type mapping. We believe that the joint use of S2 and L8 data enables the separation of crop types and increases the classification accuracy.
Effects of Age-Appropriate Mobile APP Use Behavior on Subjective Well-Being of Young Elderly

The structural equation model was used to empirically analyze the influence of the use of age-appropriate APP on the subjective well-being of the younger elderly. The results show that the attitudes of the younger elderly towards the use of age-appropriate apps are significantly affected by perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness has a significant effect on perceived ease of use. The willingness of the younger elderly to use apps for aging is significantly affected by behavioral attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. The behavior of using age-appropriate APP has a significant impact on the subjective well-being of the young elderly. The use of age-appropriate apps by the younger elderly is a positive and selective behavior, which is conducive to the younger elderly to actively adapt to and accept new technologies and improve the life satisfaction of the younger elderly.
Functional relations among certain double polylogarithms and their character analogues

Abstract. In this paper, we consider certain double polylogarithms and the ordinary polylogarithm of complex variables, and introduce a method of producing functional relations among them. Furthermore we consider χ-analogues of them. These functional relations can be regarded as polylogarithmic generalizations of the known relations between the MordellTornheim double zeta-function and the Riemann zeta-function, and their character analogues, which were studied by the authors.
Asymmetric semi-volatility spillover in a nonlinear model of interacting markets

This paper develops an heterogeneous agents model with fundamentalists and chartists trading in two diﬀerent speculative markets. It examines whether investors’ behaviour is related to the volatility and its dynamics. We ﬁnd that investors’ heterogeneity in price trends and trading strategies can signiﬁcantly explain asymmetry in semi-volatility transmission.
The Effect of Short-Term Conditional-Equilibrium Exercises on Balance and Functional Limitations in Aged Women With Frailty Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trail

Objectives Increasing frailty syndrome is one consequence of the aging population. Frailty syndrome can adversely affect the independent life and social activities of the elderly by threatening their balance and mobility. This study aimed to investigate the effect of short-term postural-balance training on balance and functional limitations in elderly women with frailty syndrome. Methods & Materials The present clinical trial study was performed on 54 elderly women with frailty syndrome. Participants were randomly selected from one of the daycare centers for the elderly in Shiraz and were divided into two groups intervention (n=27) and control (n=27). For the intervention group, 12 sessions of short-term postural-balance exercises were held. Data were collected using the Fried Frailty Index, berg balance scale (BBS-9), and the survey of activities and fear of falling in the elderly (SAFE) Questionnaire at the beginning of the study and the end of the intervention and analyzed using SPSS software v. 25. Results The mean age of participants was 66.77 years, and 94.4% had at least one chronic disease. Following the intervention, there was a significant improvement in the mean scores of frailties such as physical activity, walk time, balance, and motor limitation of the elderly in the intervention group. In contrast, the intervention could not significantly affect other frailty indicators, i.e., unwanted weight loss, exhaustion, and grip strength in the intervention group Conclusion Postural-balance exercises significantly improve the physical characteristics of malnutrition and motor and functional limitations in daily life activities in the elderly.
Signaling Pathways Associated with Chronic Wound Progression: A Systems Biology Approach

Previously we have shown that several oxidative stress-driven pathways in cutaneous chronic wounds are dysregulated in the first 48 h post-wounding. Here, we performed an RNASeq analysis of tissues collected up to day 20 after wounding, when we have determined full chronicity is established. Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis was performed in R segregating the genes into 14 modules. Genes in the modules significantly correlated (p < 0.05) to early and full chronicity were used for pathway analysis using pathfindR. In early chronicity, we observed enrichment of several pathways. Dysregulation of Ephrin/Eph signaling leads to growth cone collapse and impairs neuronal regeneration. Adra2b and Adra2a overexpression in early and full chronicity, respectively, decreased cAMP production and impaired re-epithelialization and granulation tissue formation. Several pathways involving a Smooth-muscle-actin (Acta1) were also enriched with Acta1 overexpression contributing to impaired angiogenesis. During full chronicity, the ‘JAK-STAT’ pathway was suppressed undermining host defenses against infection. Wnt signaling was also suppressed, impairing re-epithelialization and granulation tissue formation. Biomarkers of cancer such as overexpression of SDC1 and constitutive activation of ErbB2/HER2 were also identified. In conclusion, we show that during progression to full chronicity, numerous signaling pathways are dysregulated, including some related to carcinogenesis, suggesting that chronic wounds behave much like cancer. Experimental verification in vivo could identify candidates for treatment of chronic wounds.
Ultrasounds and a Postharvest Photoperiod to Enhance the Synthesis of Sulforaphane and Antioxidants in Rocket Sprouts

Ultrasounds (US) and LED illumination are being studied to optimize yield and quality. The objective was to evaluate the effect of a pre-sowing US treatment combined with a postharvest photoperiod including LEDs on rocket sprouts’ quality and phytochemicals during shelf life. A US treatment (35 kHz; 30 min) applied to seeds and a postharvest photoperiod of 14 h fluorescent light (FL) + 10 h White (W), Blue (B), Red (R) LEDs or Darkness (D) were assayed. Antioxidants as phenolics and sulfur compounds (glucosinolates and isothiocyanates) were periodically monitored over 14 days at 5 °C. The US treatment increased the sulforaphane content by ~4-fold compared to CTRL seeds and sprouts. The phenolic acids and the flavonoid biosynthesis were enhanced by ~25%, ~30%, and ~55% under photoperiods with W, B, and R, respectively, compared to darkness. The total glucosinolate content was increased by >25% (W) and >45% (B and R) compared to darkness, which also reported increases of ~2.7-fold (W), ~3.6-fold (B), and ~8-fold (R) of the sulforaphane content as a main isothiocyanate. Postharvest lighting is an interesting tool to stimulate the secondary metabolism, while a US treatment was able to increase the sulforaphane content in seeds and sprouts, although no synergistic effect was reported.
Evidence of the genetic and spatial structure of Nasua narica in Central America and northern South America from mitogenomic analysis

Carnivores are extremely important in ecosystem dynamics. Coatis (Procyonidae) are a group of Neotropical species with highly developed social behavior. One coati species is the Central American or white-nosed coati (Nasua narica). This work describes the analysis of two sets of mitochondrial data for a sample of N. narica covering most of the geographic distribution range of the species. The first data set analyzed 74 specimens for three mitochondrial loci; the second, 59 specimens for complete mitochondrial genomes. Our phylogenetic analyses revealed six distinct genetic groups of N. narica in southern México, Central America, and South America, which, together with three additional groups found in northern México and southern USA in a previous study, resulted in a total of nine genetically distinct groups of N. narica. The first genetic group (G1), which began to differentiate 4.1 to 3.2 million years ago, was located on the Pacific coast of Ecuador and northern Colombia. A second genetic group (G6) was detected in northern Colombia, Panama, and southern Costa Rica, being introgressed by mitochondrial DNA from the mountain coati (Nasuella olivacea). The third genetic group (G3) was located in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and southern Guatemala. The fourth genetic group (G4) was located in north-central Guatemala and Belize. The fifth genetic group (G5) was distributed in southern México (Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán) and northern Guatemala. Finally, the sixth genetic group (G2) was found only in Mérida (Yucatán, México). Groups G2 to G5 became mitochondrially diversified over 1.9 to 1.1 million years. All groups showed high mitochondrial genetic diversity, although the South American genetic group (G1) had the highest diversity. The northern genetic groups (G4, G5) had lower genetic diversity, except for the Merida group, which is likely composed of other undetected subgroups. The existence of six (nine, considering another study) well-developed groups in N. narica is related to female phylopatry and climatic changes during the Pleistocene. A spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a very high structure, well in line with the south-to-north colonization of the American continent by N. narica.
Effect of iron chelating drug, Deferiprone and the water extract of green tea in the treatment of iron overload in local rabbits

: The current study was designed to study and compare the effect of the iron chelating action of the green tea ( Camellia sinensis ) Aqueous extract of green tea at a concentration of 100 mg / 1 kg and compared with the oral medicine , Deferiprone used to remove iron from the body. 25 mg / kg body weight . and the study of some of the biochemical variables associated with iron overload. Ferrous sulphate, (tablets200mg) was used to raise the proportion of iron in laboratory animals. The laboratory animals (rabbits weighing 1 .to 1.5 kg) were 10 mg / kg body weight, The treatment of the four groups lasted for one month and then the animals were starved. The blood sample was withdrawn from the rabbits according to the usual laboratory methods. The study included determination of hepcidin, total iron binding capacity, ferritin, and serum iron , Laboratory results showed significant increase (P ≤ 0.01) in the concentrations of hepecidin for the second group compared with control group and significant decrease (P ≤ 0.01) for the third group and the fourth group compared with the control group As for the ferritin, there was a significant increase (P ≤ 0.01) for the second and third groups, while the fourth group did not differ significantly compared to the control group As for TIBC, there was a significant increase (P ≤ 0.01) for the fourth group compared to the control group. A significant decrease was observed for the second and third groups compared with the control group at (P ≤ 0.01) Serum iron was found to have a low significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) for the second, third and fourth groups when compared to the control group.
A Case of Linear Exacerbation of Atopic Dermatitis with Secondary Prurigo Nodularis

Inflammatory acquired Blaschko-linear dermatoses (IABLD) are a continuous concept involving diseases such as lichen striatus, blaschkitis, and atopic dermatitis. However, atopic dermatitis that showed increase in severity along Blaschko lines is rarely reported on its own. Herein, we report a rare case of atopic dermatitis with secondary prurigo nodularis along Blaschko lines, which may be valuable in broadening the concept of IABLD. A 28-year-old male presented with multiple, pruritic, brownish nodules on the left lower extremity along Blaschko lines for 3 to 4 years. The patient had atopic dermatitis since childhood. Histopathologic findings revealed compact orthohyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, spongiosis, and irregular acanthosis in the epidermis. Fibrosis with vertically arranged collagen fibers and perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltration were shown in the upper dermis. We diagnosed the case as secondary prurigo nodularis along Blaschko lines, accompanied by the preceding atopic dermatitis. We hypothesized that the patient’s underlying atopic dermatitis increased in severity along Blaschko lines, and prurigo nodularis occurred due to frequent scratching. The lesions improved with topical methylprednisolone cream, oral antihistamines and intralesional triamcinolone injection.
Frequency of Stellar Collisions in Three-Body Heating

The probability for collisional interaction of three body binaries is calculated as a function of the physical radius and mass of the stellar objects and the depth of the cluster potential well. For typical cluster parameters, there is a significant chance of physical collision for objects as small as white dwarfs. One consequence of the collisions is to lower the amount of heat produced from hardening a binary, thereby diminishing the efficiency of the three-body heating mechanism.