Short Observation Time Research Articles

ANALISIS KOMPARASI KINERJA KEUANGAN KOPERASI SIMPAN PINJAM DENGAN KOPERASI SIMPAN PINJAM DAN PEMBIAYAAN SYARI’AH DI DAERAH ISTIMEWA YOGYAKARTA PERIODE 2013-2017

The purpose of this study is: to test whether there are differences in financial performance between Savings and Loans Cooperatives and Sharia Financing (KSPPS) and Conventional Savings and Loans Cooperatives (KSP) by comparing 5 (five) variables, namely: Liquidity, Solvency, Economic Rentability, Asset Growth , and Member Growth. This study uses secondary data with a total of 10 (ten) Cooperatives with details of 5 (five) Savings and Loan Cooperatives and Shari’ah Financing (KSPPS) and Conventional Savings and Loans Cooperatives (KSP) of 5 (five) with observation periods between 2013 - 2017. The statistical analysis method used is the two average differences used to test the difference in performance of the two data groups with 5 (variables) measured. The results showed that the variable Liquidity, Solvabolity, Asset Growth, and Member Growth there was no difference in performance between Savings and Loans Cooperatives and Sharia Financing (KSPPS) with Conventional Savings and Loans Cooperatives (KSP). While the Economic Rentability variable shows a difference, namely KSPSS has better performance than KSP. The limitations of this study are the shorter observation time and the small number of samples. While suggestions can be given for future research is that more research samples can be added, research variables can also be added and the research area can be expanded.

Initial Orbit Determination Utilizing Solution Group Optimization

This paper investigates the use of space-based tracking data to determine the initial orbit of low-earth orbit (LEO) target satellites. A series of tracking data without distance information of a LEO target satellite can be provided by a space-based imaging observer and a target detection process. First, Gauss’ method is applied to a series of a target satellite's tracking data to estimate its state vectors over the observation time span. Due to different input sets and the multiple roots problem of Gauss’ method, a large number of state vector solutions are obtained, and a solution group of the estimated results is proposed. Second, the state vector solutions are grouped according to the multiple roots characteristic of Gauss’ method and then smoothed and fitted based on the motion continuity in each group. Finally, each fitted solution is used to estimate the elements of one orbit, and an optimized result is selected from all the orbit element solutions by mapping and comparing with the original tracking data. Simulation experiments demonstrate the efficacy of our method. Within a short observation time span, the proposed algorithm can obtain an optimized solution for the initial orbit elements of a target satellite.

Long-Term Effects of Sulfide on Ammonia Oxidation and Nitrite Accumulation in a Seasonally Loaded Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland

A vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland (VF wetland) treating wastewater of a touristically used lodge was studied over a period of eight years. The study aim was to investigate if the design and the operation of VF wetlands can be adjusted to the seasonal loading of recreation facilities. Compared to standard VF wetlands, the plant was designed with a lower specific surface area. The operation was divided into a high load phase during the season and a non-loaded regeneration phase after the season. A further object of the study resulted from the operation of the VF wetland. Since the wetland is located in an area with sulfate-rich drinking water, high sulfide concentrations occur in the wastewater resulting from sulfate-reducing bacteria. While the COD and BOD5 effluent concentrations always stayed within the permissible values, ammonia oxidation was incomplete for several years. The results show the different short- and long-term effects of sulfide on ammonium and nitrite oxidation and their influences on plant operations. It is concluded that nitrite oxidizers are sensitive to sulfide during short-time observations but less sensitive than ammonia-oxidizing bacteria over long periods. Furthermore, the effect of a completely inhibited nitrification on phosphorous removal was studied.

Effect of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on the PCSK9 blood concentration in statin-naive patients with atherosclerosis

Statins are currently the main group of lipid-lowering drugs used in clinical practice. However not all patients manage to achieve ‘target’ levels of LDL. A possible cause is statin-induced increase of expression of hepatocyte PCSK9 which regulates LDL uptake. Aim. The aim of the study was to determine whether the changes of parameters of lipid spectrum depend on the changes of PCSK9 concentration in blood during treatment with rosuvastatin or atorvastatin. Material and methods . 20 patients (9 men), median age 63 (57;72) years referred for the examination at NMRCC with coronary and carotid atherosclerosis and with the indications for statin therapy were included. In 9 patients the therapy with atorvastatin (40-80 mg/day) was initiated. 11 patients started taking rosuvastatin (10-40 mg/day). The parameters of lipid spectrum, Lp(a) and PCSK9 blood levels were determined at baseline and after 1 month after the initiation of statin therapy. Results. Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin intake were accompanied by the decrease in the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL. The level of Lp(a) did not change. In patients receiving rosuvastatin a significant increase in the PCSK9 serum concentration was achieved while atorvastatin therapy was associated with much less pronounced and not statistically significant increase in PCSK9 levels. Conclusion. We suggest that the lipid-lowering activity of statins does not depend on their effect on PCSK9 expression. The limitation of this study is the small sample size and short observation time.

Analysis and compensation of telescopes' gaps effect on aperture synthesis in a multi-channel synthetic aperture ladar system.

The azimuth multi-channel synthetic aperture ladar (SAL), which arranges multiple telescopes along the flight direction of the platform, transmits signals through a single telescope and receives echoes by multiple telescopes simultaneously to obtain data. The aperture synthesis technology, which has the ability to achieve high resolution through multiple small telescopes, is applied to the multi-channel SAL system to realize the reconstruction of the complete azimuth Doppler spectrum in a short observation time. However, there are gaps inevitably between telescopes, which degrade the results of aperture synthesis. In this work, the effect of gaps on the instantaneous Doppler spectrum of each channel and the influence on the result of the azimuth impulse compression after aperture synthesis are analyzed. In addition, an estimation method of gaps based on the phase errors between channels is proposed to reduce the influence. The estimation accuracy of the proposed method is analyzed, and the effectiveness of the method is verified with simulations. The estimated gaps are used to compensate for the phase discontinuity of the azimuth signal after aperture synthesis caused by gaps. The method improves the result of aperture synthesis and reduces the side-lobe of the azimuth impulse compression after aperture synthesis.

Testing primordial black holes as dark matter with LISA

The idea that primordial black holes (PBHs) can comprise most of the dark matter of the universe has recently reacquired a lot of momentum. Observational constraints, however, rule out this possibility for most of the PBH masses, with a notable exception around $10^{-12} M_\odot$. These light PBHs may be originated when a sizeable comoving curvature perturbation generated during inflation re-enters the horizon during the radiation phase. During such a stage, it is unavoidable that gravitational waves (GWs) are generated. Since their source is quadratic in the curvature perturbations, these GWs are generated fully non-Gaussian. Their frequency today is about the mHz, which is exactly the range where the LISA mission has the maximum of its sensitivity. This is certainly an impressive coincidence. We show that this scenario of PBHs as dark matter can be tested by LISA by measuring the GW two-point correlator. On the other hand, we show that the short observation time (as compared to the age of the universe) and propagation effects of the GWs across the perturbed universe from the production point to the LISA detector suppress the bispectrum to an unobservable level. This suppression is completely general and not specific to our model.

Aging aerosol in a well-mixed continuous-flow tank reactor: an introduction of the activation time distribution

Abstract. Two approaches are commonly used to simulate atmospheric aging processes in the laboratory. The experiments are either performed in large aerosol chambers (several m3) in order to achieve extended observation times or in small chambers (< 1 m3), compensating for the short observation times by elevated reactant concentrations. We present an experimental approach that enables long observation times at atmospherically relevant reactant concentrations in small chamber volumes by operating the aerosol chamber as a continuous-flow stirred tank reactor (CSTR). We developed a mathematical framework that allows the retrieval of data beyond calculating mean values, such as O3 exposure or equivalent atmospheric aging time, using the new metric, activation time (tact). This concept was developed and successfully tested to characterize the change in cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity of soot particles due to heterogeneous ozone oxidation. We found very good agreement between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions. This experimental approach and data analysis concept can be applied for the investigation of any transition in aerosol particles properties that can be considered a binary system. Furthermore, we show how tact can be applied to the analysis of data originating from other reactor types such as oxidation flow reactors (OFRs), which are widely used in atmospheric sciences. The new tact concept significantly supports the understanding of data acquired in OFRs, especially those from deviating experimental results in intercomparison campaigns.

Rapid automatic identification of parameters of the Bergman Minimal Model in Sprague-Dawley rats with experimental diabetes for adaptive insulin delivery

Glucose-Insulin regulation models can be used to individualize insulin therapy. However, the experimental techniques currently used to identify the appropriate parameter sets of an individual are expensive, time consuming, and very unpleasant for the patient. Since there is a wide range of intrapersonal parameter variability, the identified parameters in a laboratory setting (at rest) are not optimal for dynamic conditions of daily activities. In this study we propose a methodology to identify three parameters of Bergman's Minimal Model in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats from the experimental data of the glucose response to exogenous insulin doses, based on a genetic algorithm (GA). The algorithm requires glucose measurements from a continuous subcutaneous sensor once every 5 min and the amount of injected insulin. The model parameters of 20 in vivo experiments (from 19 rats) were identified with high accuracy and the average root-mean squared (RMS) error between predicted and measured glucose concentration was 17.6 mg/dl. Since the algorithm requires a relatively short (60–120 min) observation time it can be used for real-time parameter identification to optimize insulin infusion systems. Model parameter changes due to experimental settings like drug testing or in natural lifestyle changes should be calculable, on-the-fly, using data from only the glucose sensor and the amount of insulin delivered.

The utility of the pretracheal stethoscope in detecting ventilatory abnormalities during propofol sedation in children.

Monitoring of ventilation with capnography or a stethoscope is recommended because the detection of ventilatory abnormalities can be significantly delayed by the use of pulse oximetry alone in patients receiving supplemental oxygen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the pretracheal stethoscope with pulse oximetry and capnography in detecting adverse respiratory events during propofol sedation in nonintubated children. We hypothesized that use of the pretracheal stethoscope would facilitate earlier detection of adverse respiratory events. This was a prospectiveobservational study of children undergoing procedural sedation at a pediatric sedation program. A pretracheal stethoscope, pulse oximetry, and nasal capnography were attached at the discretion of the sedation nurse and provider to monitor ventilation. We enrolled 104 patient encounters (mean recorded time, SD 8.3±5.3minutes) from February, 2015 to March, 2017. The pretracheal stethoscope was the first monitor to detect adverse events in 64% (25/39) of patients compared to 18% (7/39) for capnography and 15% (6/39) for pulse oximetry. Auscultation performed best at detecting upper airway obstruction but capnography and pulse oximetry performed best at detecting hypoventilation. The positive predictive value for detecting a true ventilation abnormality and 95% CI of the pretracheal stethoscope, pulse oximetry, and capnography was 100% (90%-100%), 18% (10%-31%), and 27% (18%-38%), respectively. The negative predictive value and 95% CI of the pretracheal stethoscope, pulse oximetry, and capnography was 88% (82%-92%), 68% (59%-75%), and 70% (61%-78%), respectively. Limitations are short observation time, nonstandardized application of respiratory monitors, and too much focus on auscultation. A pretracheal stethoscope in conjunction with capnography and pulse oximetry detects most sedation-related adverse events first. Auscultation performed best at detecting upper airway obstruction but capnography and pulse oximetry performed best at detecting hypoventilation.

The Impact of the Change in Payment System for German Psychiatric Clinics on Treatment Success: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis.

In Germany a new reimbursement system for psychiatric clinics was proposed in 2009 based on the § 17d KHG Psych-Entgeltsystem. The system can be voluntary implemented by clinics since 2013 but therapists are frequently afraid it might affect treatment negatively. To evaluate whether the new system has a negative impact on treatment success by analysing routinely collected data in a Bavarian clinic. Aggregated data of 1760 patients treated in the years 2007-2016 was analysed with segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series to assess the effects of the system on treatment success, operationalized with three outcome variables. A negative change in level after a lag period was hypothesized. The robustness of results was tested by sensitivity analyses. The percentage of patients with treatment success tends to increase after the new system but no significant change in level was observed. The sensitivity analyses corroborate results for 2 outcomes but when the intervention point was shifted, the positive change in level for the third outcome became significant. Our initial hypothesis is not supported. However, the sensitivity analyses disclosed uncertainties and our study has limitations, such as a short observation time post intervention. Results are not generalizable as data of a single clinic was analysed. Nevertheless, we show the importance of collecting and analysing routine data to assess the impact of policy changes on patient outcomes.

Multi-exposed recordings for 3D Lagrangian particle tracking with Multi-Pulse Shake-The-Box

The recent introduction of the Multi-Pulse Shake-The-Box (MP-STB) method opened the possibility of extending 3D Lagrangian particle tracking (LPT) to the investigation of high-speed flows, where long time-resolved sequences of recordings are currently not available due to the limited acquisition frequency of high-speed systems. The MP-STB technique makes use of an iterative approach to overcome the limitations posed by the short observation time offered by a multi-pulse recording sequence. Multi-pulse sequences are typically obtained by synchronizing multiple illumination systems to generate bursts of laser pulses where the time separation can be freely adjusted down to less than a microsecond. Several strategies can be adopted for the recording of multi-pulse sequences; a dual camera system can be adopted to separate the single pulses onto the camera frames (either by means of polarization or timing), while the use of multi-exposed frames allows for the employment of a single imaging system, largely reducing the complexity and cost of the experimental setup. The main strategies to generate multi-pulse recording sequences are presented here; the application and performances of the MP-STB method are discussed based on the analysis of experimental data from the investigation of three turbulent boundary layer flows at velocities ranging from 10 to approximately 30 m/s. Results show the capability of the MP-STB technique in reconstructing accurate track fields which can be exploited both to describe instantaneous flow structures and to produce highly spatially resolved statistics by means of ensemble average in small bins. The iterative reconstruction and tracking strategy for MP-STB can be successfully adapted to the case of multi-exposed frames. Results suggest that, despite the increase in particle image density resulting from the double-exposed particle images, the adoption of multi-exposed recordings has the potential to become the technique of choice for the recording of multi-pulse sequences suitable for Lagrangian particle tracking in high-speed flows.

Tetherless, Precise and Extended Observation of Single-Molecule FRET in an Anti-Brownian Trap

A comprehensive understanding of biomolecules calls for the ability to observe single-molecule dynamics at the nanometer scale without constraints. Single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) is a powerful tool for probing nanoscale dynamics, but existing modalities have limitations. Solution based confocal measurements are restricted by the short (~1ms) diffusion limited observation time. Surface immobilized measurements can extend the observation window, but at the expense of the molecule’s translational and rotational degrees of freedom. Moreover, there is always a concern that immobilization may perturb the biomolecule’s function. We overcome these limitations by combining smFRET optics with the capability to isolate individual molecules in solution using an Anti-Brownian ELectrokinetic (ABEL) trap. Our new platform, ABEL-FRET, enables photon-by-photon recording of smFRET trajectories over tens of seconds in solution, without tethering the molecule to a surface. We first demonstrate ABELFRET using short (~10bp) DNA rulers and achieve near shot-noise limited precision of ΔE~0.01 for 5,000 photons, which enables resolution of single base pair differences in a mixture of FRET-labeled dsDNA molecules. We also demonstrate the capability to make simultaneous measurements of donor fluorescence lifetime and smFRET.

Downscaling of Rainfall Extremes From Satellite Observations

AbstractThe estimation of the frequency of intense rainfall events is a crucial step for quantifying their impact on human societies and on the environment. This process is hindered by large gaps in ground observational networks at the global scale, such that extensive areas remain ungauged. The increasing availability of satellite‐based rainfall estimates, while providing data with unprecedented resolution and global coverage, also introduces new challenges: the scale disparity between gridded and rain‐gauge precipitation products on the one hand, and the short length of the available satellite records on the other. Here we propose a statistical framework for the estimation of rainfall extremes that is specifically designed to simultaneously address these two key issues, providing a new way of estimating extreme rainfall magnitudes from space. A downscaling procedure is here introduced to recover the spatial correlation and the probability density function of daily rainfall at the point (gauge) scale from coarse‐scale satellite estimates. The results are then combined with a recent statistical model of extremes (the Metastatistical Extreme Value distribution), which optimizes the use of the information obtained from relatively short satellite observational time series. The methodology is tested using data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis over the Little Washita River, Oklahoma. We find that our approach satisfactorily reproduces downscaled daily rainfall probability density functions and can significantly improve the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis‐based estimation of quantiles with return times larger than the length of the available data set (19 years here), which are especially important for several water‐related applications.

Increased Occurrence of Record‐Wet and Record‐Dry Months Reflect Changes in Mean Rainfall

AbstractClimate change alters the hydrological cycle, which is expected to increase the risk of heavy rainfall events and prolonged droughts. Sparse rainfall data, however, have made it difficult to answer the question of whether robust changes can already be seen in the short observational time period. Here we use a comprehensive statistical tool to quantify changes in record‐breaking wet and dry months. The global‐mean number of record‐wet months has significantly increased over the recent decades and is now nearly 20% higher than would be expected in a stationary climate with no long‐term trends. This signal primarily comes from pronounced changes in the northern middle to high latitudes where the occurrence of record‐wet months has increased by up to 37% regionally. The tropics have seen opposing trends: More record‐wet months in Southeast Asia in contrast to more record‐dry months in Africa. These changes are broadly consistent with observed trends in mean rainfall.

Noise Filtering in High-Resolution Satellite Images Using Composite Multiresolution Transforms

This contribution proposes a multiresolution analysis (MRA)-based composite technique for image restoration by noise filtering in satellite images. Multiresolution techniques provide a coarse–fine and scale-invariant decomposition of images for analysis and interpretation. MRA methods effectively handle the noise because of their multiscale feature. This study presents a scheme based on the combination of wavelet-, contourlet- and curvelet-based transforms as effective tool for noise filtering in satellite images. The proposed method is applied to the problem of restoring an image from noisy data and effects of denoising are compared. Several comparison experiments with state-of-the-art noise filtering schemes are conducted. The composite approach of curvelet and wavelet is found to be more effective than the others based on the set of evaluation measures like peak signal–noise ratio, mean-squared error, edge-enhancing index and mean–standard deviation ratio across edges. The results are illustrated using high-resolution satellite data, such as Quickbird and Worldview-2 images. Such high-resolution images are more likely to be noisy due to the short observation time over the target in contrast to images from low-resolution sensors.

Long-Term Follow-up of the Randomized Controlled Study in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Severe Aplastic Anemia Treated with ATG, Cyclosporine, with or without G-CSF: On Behalf of the SAA Working Party of the EBMT

Long-Term Follow-up of the Randomized Controlled Study in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Severe Aplastic Anemia Treated with ATG, Cyclosporine, with or without G-CSF: On Behalf of the SAA Working Party of the EBMT

Surgical options and trends in treating rectal prolapse: long-term results in a 19-year follow-up study.

Many different operations have been proposed for treating rectal prolapse, with varying recurrence rates and functional outcome. The main purpose of this study was to assess long-term results of surgery for prolapse of the rectum. We carried out a retrospective study to evaluate changing trends in surgical strategies and outcome in all patients treated in our hospital over 19years. Ninety-three patients were operated and 30 (32%) experienced recurrence of external prolapse during a median (range) follow-up time of 82 (2-231) months. There were 37 reoperations for recurrence, bringing the total number of operations to 130. From 1998 to 2010, laparoscopic posterior suture rectopexy was the preferred abdominal procedure with Delorme's operation as the perineal alternative. Observed recurrence rates were 15/49 (31%) and 8/15 (53%) during a median observation time of 84 and 9months, respectively. From 2011 to 2017, these procedures were replaced by ventral mesh rectopexy and Altemeier's rectosigmoidectomy. The observed recurrence rate for ventral mesh rectopexy was 3/22 (14%) during a median observation time of 29months. The 30-day mortality rate was 3% and complication rate 14%. The recurrence rates were high after all procedures, with no significant difference between posterior suture rectopexy and ventral mesh rectopexy, but the short observation time for the latter procedure is a limitation of the study. Both procedures had low complication rates, and ventral mesh rectopexy had no mortality.

Comparative foraging behaviour of three species of shrike in southern Africa

Utilisation of food resources in migrant and resident birds living sympatrically often leads to differences in feeding strategy. For sit-and-wait hunters such as shrikes, it is connected with competition for food and hunting places. In this study, foraging behaviour of three shrike species was studied in savanna-like habitat in southern Africa. The fieldwork was carried out in December 2017 during wintering season of Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor and Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio and breeding season of Common Fiscal Lanius collaris. Details of the bird's behaviour were recorded during 30 min observations of each bird. A general linear mixed model with logit link function and binomial error variance was used to compare the species’ behaviour. Although the type of perch-site and perching time did not differ between species, Red-backed Shrike used places situated significantly lower than other shrikes. This species also more often used bushes and attacked from lower perch-sites than Lesser Grey Shrike. This may possibly be due to interspecific competition and antipredator behaviour of Red-backed Shrike. No differences in foraging behaviour between Common Fiscal and Lesser Grey Shrike were observed. All three species utilised the same category of prey. Hunting success (the ratio of successful to all attacks) was low and similar in all three species (47%–57%). The lack of statistically significant differences in behaviour, hunting success and size of prey items among shrike species may be a consequence of the relatively short observation time and small sample sizes.

Survey on network flow watermarking: model, interferences, applications, technologies and security

Compared with passive flow correlation technologies based on flow characteristics, network flow watermarking, a kind of active flow correlation technology, is characterised by high accuracy, low false positive rate and short observation time. The basic framework and main elements of flow watermarking are formally described. The robustness and invisibility focused by flow watermarking as well as typical application scenarios (such as stepping-stone traceback, anonymous abuser correlation) of flow watermarking are expounded. The intra-flow and inter-flow interferences (such as repacketisation, packet reorder, delay normalisation, flow mixing, flow splitting and flow merging) faced by flow watermarking are briefly introduced. Analysis and comparison on different watermark carriers (packet payload, traffic rate, packet timing, packet number, packet length, packet order and hybrid carrier) based typical flow watermarking technologies, including flow fingerprinting technologies, are conducted, then, a review on security threats faced by flow watermarking, including multi-flow attack, mean-square autocorrelation attack, Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, BACKLIT detection and replication attack, and main countermeasures for increasing invisibility of flow watermarking is carried out. Current research hotspots and future development trends of flow watermarking are summarised and prospected from the aspects of architecture design, invisibility enhancement, adaptive capability improvement, performance evaluation, deployment and application.

Using radio frequency identification (RFID) to investigate the gap-crossing decisions of Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus)

ABSTRACT Gaps in forest habitat are well documented to negatively impact the movements of forest songbirds. Much past research on avian gap-crossing decisions has utilized playback experiments. However, playbacks are limited by short observation times and often cannot be used to reveal differences in behaviors among individuals. Here, we present a novel approach utilizing radio-frequency identification (RFID) to investigate gap-crossing decisions in Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus). Using bird feeders outfitted with RFID readers, we were able to track the movement patterns of wintering Black-capped Chickadees within forests and across gaps. We used logistic regression and an information theoretic approach to identify the factors that best predicted gap-crossing behaviors. Gaps impeded movements of wintering Black-capped Chickadees and the best predictors of gap-crossing behaviors were gap size and gap vegetation density. Birds were more likely to make crossings with decreasing gap size and w...