Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On applying Neuro - Computing in E-com Domain

Prior studies have generally suggested that Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) are superior to conventional statistical models in predicting consumer buying behavior. There are, however, contradicting findings which raise question over usefulness of ANNs. This paper discusses development of three neural networks for modeling consumer e-commerce behavior and compares the findings to equivalent logistic regression models. The results showed that ANNs predict e-commerce adoption slightly more accurately than logistic models but this is hardly justifiable given the added complexity. Further, ANNs seem to be highly adaptive, particularly when a small sample is coupled with a large number of nodes in hidden layers which, in turn, limits the neural networks' generalisability.
Production and Determination of Bioavailable Iron in Sorghum and White bean Noodles

The objective of this study was to find innovative approaches for the production of iron fortified noodles that are natural and economically feasible. The functional food was produced using different combinations . The investigated variables were the ratio of sorghum to white bean flour, pre-gelatinized flours (drum dried or extruded) and guar gum addition while the emulsifier added was kept constant. Investigated parameters were the iron content and its bioavailability, as well as the functional properties (cooking weight, cooking time, cooking loss and texture) of the noodles. Results of the study showed that the content of white bean in the noodles had a direct influence on the iron content and bioavailability. As expected, the iron content and bioavailability was higher the higher the amount of white bean added. Additionally, the iron content and bioavailability was affected by the addition of guar gum and the pregelatinised flours. Iron content of noodles decreased with the increase of guar gum content while the addition of white bean pregelatinised flour showed an increase in the iron content and bioavailability. On examination of the functional properties, the 50% white bean noodles gave the best results in terms of texture, cooking loss, cooking time and cooking weight. Cooking time, cooking weight and cooking loss were comparable to that of durum wheat noodles. Noodles prepared with 50% white bean flour and pregelatinized flours (extruded or drum dried) received the best rankings in the sensory evaluation. The result of this study showed that the higher the amount of white bean added, the superior was the noodle quality, therefore fulfilling the requirements of the objectives i.e. good quality noodles with high iron content and bioavailability.
Seiberg-Witten Map for Superfields on N=(1/2,0) and N=(1/2,1/2) Deformed Superspace

In this paper we construct the Seiberg-Witten maps for superfields on the θ−θ deformed superspaces with N = (1/2,0) and N = (1/2,1/2) supersymmety. We show that on the N = (1/2,0) deformed superspace there is no Seiberg-Witten map for antichiral superfields which is at the same time antichiral, local and which preserves the N = (1/2,0) supersymmetry. Solutions which break this requirements are presented. On the N = (1/2,1/2) deformed superspace we show that for the chiral gauge parameter, and therefore also for the chiral matter field, there is no chiral Seiberg-Witten map. Some other possible Seiberg-Witten maps for the superfields are presented.
Isolating Triggered Star Formation

Galaxy pairs provide a potentially powerful means of studying triggered star formation from galaxy interactions. We use a large cosmological N-body simulation coupled with a well-tested semianalytic substructure model to demonstrate that the majority of galaxies in close pairs reside within cluster- or group-sized halos and therefore represent a biased population, poorly suited for direct comparison to “field” galaxies. Thus, the frequent observation that some types of galaxies in pairs have redder colors than field galaxies is primarily a selection effect. We use our simulations to devise a means to select galaxy pairs that are isolated in their dark matter halos with respect to other massive subhalos (N = 2 halos) and to select a control sample of isolated galaxies (N = 1 halos) for comparison. We then apply these selection criteria to a volume-limited subset of the 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey with MB,j ⩽ − 19 and obtain the first clean measurement of the typical fraction of galaxies affected by triggered star formation and the average elevation in the star formation rate. We find that 24% (30.5%) of these L* and sub-L* galaxies in isolated 50 (30) h−1 kpc pairs exhibit star formation that is boosted by a factor of ≳5 above their average past value, while only 10% of isolated galaxies in the control sample show this level of enhancement. Because only 12% (16%) of model galaxies in these pairs have had recent close passes, the data are broadly consistent with a scenario in which most or all close passes of isolated pairs result in triggered star formation. The isolation criteria we develop provide a means to constrain star formation and feedback prescriptions in hydrodynamic simulations and a very general method of understanding the importance of triggered star formation in a cosmological context.
Using SAT-Based Techniques in Test Vectors Generation

The growing size and complexity of VLSI circuits have made quality and reliability requirements increasingly stringent. The work presented in this paper investigates the ap- plication of Boolean Satisfiability (SAT)-based techniques to ad- dress two distinct VLSI testing activities, namely, test vector generation to excite stuck-open faults in CMOS circuits, and test vector generation for dynamic burn-in testing. The presence of a stuck-open fault renders an otherwise combinational logic gate sequential, therefore causing a malfunction of the integrated cir- cuit. On the other hand, burn-in screening has been an integral part of semiconductors manufacturing to assure that reliability goals are achieved. The purpose of this type of testing is to apply to the device under test a set of input patterns which maximizes the circuits nodal activity, and by so doing causing an increase in its power dissipation that leads to device failures like electromi- gration and hot-carrier degradation at an early stage of the de- vice operation. The search for input or test patterns to either excite a stuck- open fault, or to maximize the activity in the circuit is an NP- complete problem. In this work, we discuss the applicability of SAT methodologies in tackling these two testing problems. We experiment with SAT and Integer Linear Programming (ILP) solvers to compute solution sets for these two testing activities.
Quality of working life of academics and researchers in the UK: the roles of contract type, tenure and university ranking

Quality of working life has been defined as the part of overall quality of life that is influenced by work. We developed a mediation model where home–work interface, job and career satisfaction, control at work, and working conditions are considered to be positively related to employee commitment and to the absence of stress at work. These two variables were ultimately related to general well-being. We considered possible differences between workers with different contract types (permanent vs. temporary), as well as the roles of tenure and average position of the University in the UK rankings. Quantitative survey data from 510 academics and researchers working in 8 British Universities were analysed via a multi-group analysis with structural equation modelling. Our model presented a good fit, and a bootstrapping analysis confirmed the significance of indirect effects. Significant differences were found between permanent and temporary workers and striking results were found regarding tenure.
Integrated Profiling of MicroRNAs and mRNAs: MicroRNAs Located on Xq27.3 Associate with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Background With the advent of second-generation sequencing, the expression of gene transcripts can be digitally measured with high accuracy. The purpose of this study was to systematically profile the expression of both mRNA and miRNA genes in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) using massively parallel sequencing technology. Methodology The expression of mRNAs and miRNAs were analyzed in tumor tissues and matched normal adjacent tissues obtained from 10 ccRCC patients without distant metastases. In a prevalence screen, some of the most interesting results were validated in a large cohort of ccRCC patients. Principal Findings A total of 404 miRNAs and 9,799 mRNAs were detected to be differentially expressed in the 10 ccRCC patients. We also identified 56 novel miRNA candidates in at least two samples. In addition to confirming that canonical cancer genes and miRNAs (including VEGFA, DUSP9 and ERBB4; miR-210, miR-184 and miR-206) play pivotal roles in ccRCC development, promising novel candidates (such as PNCK and miR-122) without previous annotation in ccRCC carcinogenesis were also discovered in this study. Pathways controlling cell fates (e.g., cell cycle and apoptosis pathways) and cell communication (e.g., focal adhesion and ECM-receptor interaction) were found to be significantly more likely to be disrupted in ccRCC. Additionally, the results of the prevalence screen revealed that the expression of a miRNA gene cluster located on Xq27.3 was consistently downregulated in at least 76.7% of ∼50 ccRCC patients. Conclusions Our study provided a two-dimensional map of the mRNA and miRNA expression profiles of ccRCC using deep sequencing technology. Our results indicate that the phenotypic status of ccRCC is characterized by a loss of normal renal function, downregulation of metabolic genes, and upregulation of many signal transduction genes in key pathways. Furthermore, it can be concluded that downregulation of miRNA genes clustered on Xq27.3 is associated with ccRCC.
Development toward School Readiness: A Holistic Model

This article describes a systemic analysis of the early childhood development factors that explain the variance in readiness for school among representative 5-year-olds in the United States. The model expresses a theory that incorporates a broad set of causally interactive endogenous variables that are hypothesized to be driven by the effects of three exogenous variables: parental education, immigrant status and racial/ethnic identity, and single-parent/divorced/remarried vs. stable-marriage family status. While exogenous is generally defined as “outside,” for the purposes of this analysis, racial/ethnic identity is exogenous in that, in contrast to the endogenous variables in the model, it is not influenced–-and does not change–-in interaction with other variables in the model. The model was run in computer simulation mode. The results are compatible with what is known about school readiness patterns. While this finding does not establish validity per se, it does suggest that the model provides a reasonable multivariate, systemic description of factors that determine readiness for school at the age of 5 and that offer a reasonable explanation for the variance in school readiness among 5-year-olds. Finally, the model was run in experimental computer simulation mode to evaluate the likely effects of five interventions that relate to: (1) cognitive and academic factors, (2) health care and nutrition, (3) income, (4) reducing the effect of low income on family stress, and (5) a combination of all these types. All the interventions were simulated by modifying the structure of the model to moderate the effects of low parental education and low income on other key variables in the system of early childhood development. As expected, combining the interventions related to cognitive and academic factors, health and nutrition, and family stress with straightforward increases in low family income had a very substantial effect on the relative age of school readiness of children of parents with very low educational attainment (from a relative age of 2.9 years to a relative age of 4.3 years)–-with very modest improvements in school readiness for children whose parents did not graduate from college. It is acknowledged that such a set of comprehensive interventions would be very costly and, probably, politically infeasible. The more limited and less costly interventions–-e.g., cognitive and academic–-vary in their likely effectiveness; the least effective interventions are those that affect only health and nutrition. The findings of this systemic analysis are generally consistent with the literature, at the same time emphasizing the weaknesses in the current knowledge base, which is largely based on correlational research. What is needed–-although difficult to do–-is bivariate experimental research that would provide the effect sizes that are needed for more precise systemic analysis.
Where in the brain is morality? Everywhere and maybe nowhere

The neuroscience of morality has focused on how morality works and where it is in the brain. In tackling these questions, researchers have taken both domain-specific and domain-general approaches—searching for neural substrates and systems dedicated to moral cognition versus characterizing the contributions of domain-general processes. Where in the brain is morality? On one hand, morality is made up of complex cognitive processes, deployed across many domains and housed all over the brain. On the other hand, no neural substrate or system that uniquely supports moral cognition has been found. In this review, we will discuss early assumptions of domain-specificity in moral neuroscience as well as subsequent investigations of domain-general contributions, taking emotion and social cognition (i.e., theory of mind) as case studies. Finally, we will consider possible cognitive accounts of a domain-specific morality: Does uniquely moral cognition exist?
The Maturational Disassembly and Differential Proteolysis of Paralogous Vitellogenins in a Marine Pelagophil Teleost: A Conserved Mechanism of Oocyte Hydration1

Abstract A structural analysis of the differential proteolysis of vitellogenin (Vtg)-derived yolk proteins in the maturing oocytes of a marine teleost that spawns very large pelagic eggs is presented. Two full-length hepatic cDNAs (hhvtgAa and hhvtgAb) encoding paralogous vitellogenins (HhvtgAa and HhvtgAb) were cloned from nonestrogenized Atlantic halibut, and the N-termini of their subdomain structures were mapped to the oocyte and egg yolk proteins (Yps). The maturational oocyte Yp degradation products were further mapped to the free amino acid (FAA) pool in the ovulated egg. The deduced amino acid sequences conformed to the linear NH2-(LvH-Pv-LvL-beta′-CT)-COO− structure of complete teleost Vtgs. However, the Yps did not match the expected cleavage products of complete Vtgs. Specifically, the phosvitin subdomain of the HhvtgAa paralogue remains covalently attached to the lipovitellin light chain, while the phosvitin subdomain of the HhvtgAb paralogue remains covalently attached to a C-terminal fragment of the lipovitellin heavy chain (LvH). During oocyte hydration, the LvH of the HhvtgAa paralogue is disassembled and extensively degraded to FAA. In the HhvtgAb paralogue, the LvH is nicked in the C-sheet in a manner similar to that seen in lamprey and other teleosts. A small part of the C-teminal end of the LvH-Ab undergoes proteolysis to FAA, together with the phosvitin, beta′ component, and much (∼65%) of the lipovitellin light chain (LvL-Ab). The independently measured FAA pool in the ovulated egg corroborates that calculated from differential proteolysis of the Yps. Based on the 3:1 (HhvtgAb:HhvtgAa) Yp expression ratio, each paralogue contributes approximately equal amounts of FAA to the organic osmolyte pool of the hydrating oocyte during maturation.
Sheltered Workshops: United States v. Rhode Island

Federal legislation, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, mandates that individuals with disabilities be integrated in all aspects of life from education to employment to independent living. A recent development involves a settlement reached between the United States and the State of Rhode Island/City of Providence regarding sheltered workshops. States must ensure the availability of a continuum of alternative settings that span from restrictive (e.g., sheltered workshops) to fully integrated, community-based, competitive employment. The use of sheltered workshops as categorical, permanent, segregated practice is discriminatory.
Another Abundance Inhomogeneity in the South East Limb of the Cygnus Loop

We observed the south east (SE) limb of the Cygnus Loop with Suzaku. Our spatially-resolved spectroscopic study shows that a one-kTe non-equilibrium ionization model represents our spectra fairly well. We find that the metal abundances obtained are all depleted relative to the solar values with a positional dependence along the radial direction of the Cygnus Loop. The abundances in the very edge of the limb show about half the solar value, whereas other regions inside the Loop show about 0.2-times the solar value, which has been believed to be a typical value for the Cygnus Loop limb. The “enhanced” abundance in the very edge of the SE limb is quite similar to that found in the north-east (NE) limb of the Loop, and thus this is another evidence of an abundance inhomogeneity in the limb regions of the Loop. The radio map shows a quite different feature: the NE limb is in the radio bright region, while the SE limb shows almost no radio. Therefore, the metal abundance variation in the SE limb can not be attributed to non-thermal emission. The abundance inhomogeneity as well as the metal depletion down to 0.2 times the solar value still remain an open question.
K-Automorphism: A General Framework For Privacy Preserving Network Publication

The growing popularity of social networks has generated interesting data management and data mining problems. An important concern in the release of these data for study is their privacy, since social networks usually contain personal information. Simply removing all identifiable personal information (such as names and social security number) before releasing the data is insufficient. It is easy for an attacker to identify the target by performing different structural queries. In this paper we propose k-automorphism to protect against multiple structural attacks and develop an algorithm (called KM) that ensures k-automorphism. We also discuss an extension of KM to handle "dynamic" releases of the data. Extensive experiments show that the algorithm performs well in terms of protection it provides.
Vascular Ageing and Exercise: Focus on Cellular Reparative Processes

Ageing is associated with an increased risk of developing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The increased risk can be attributable to increased prolonged exposure to oxidative stress. Often, CVD is preceded by endothelial dysfunction, which carries with it a proatherothrombotic phenotype. Endothelial senescence and reduced production and release of nitric oxide (NO) are associated with “vascular ageing” and are often accompanied by a reduced ability for the body to repair vascular damage, termed “reendothelialization. ” Exercise has been repeatedly shown to confer protection against CVD and diabetes risk and incidence. Regular exercise promotes endothelial function and can prevent endothelial senescence, often through a reduction in oxidative stress. Recently, endothelial precursors, endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), have been shown to repair damaged endothelium, and reduced circulating number and/or function of these cells is associated with ageing. Exercise can modulate both number and function of these cells to promote endothelial homeostasis. In this review we look at the effects of advancing age on the endothelium and these endothelial precursors and how exercise appears to offset this “vascular ageing” process.
Ant colony system: a cooperative learning approach to the traveling salesman problem

This paper introduces the ant colony system (ACS), a distributed algorithm that is applied to the traveling salesman problem (TSP). In the ACS, a set of cooperating agents called ants cooperate to find good solutions to TSPs. Ants cooperate using an indirect form of communication mediated by a pheromone they deposit on the edges of the TSP graph while building solutions. We study the ACS by running experiments to understand its operation. The results show that the ACS outperforms other nature-inspired algorithms such as simulated annealing and evolutionary computation, and we conclude comparing ACS-3-opt, a version of the ACS augmented with a local search procedure, to some of the best performing algorithms for symmetric and asymmetric TSPs.
Virtual Empirical Investigation: Concept Formation and Theory Justification

1. INTRODUCTION. The big picture is important in mathematics. If you have the big picture or the broad insight about what is really going on, you can usually reconstruct details that may have been forgotten. Unfortunately, this is an aspect of the subject that is largely unobserved by students, especially in the first two years of the college curriculum. All too often, they approach mathematics entirely at the molecular level. That is, they try to learn every fact, technique, concept, method, or result with equal emphasis, never seeing how these molecules combine to create larger structures. Little wonder, then, if they don't appreciate how a few key molecules can establish the framework of a much larger whole. Although I know this, and keep it in mind when I prepare to teach my classes, my good intentions seem to have little impact on many of the students. For example, there is a clear, even compelling, picture that goes with Newton's method: slide down the tangent line until you hit the x-axis; go up to the curve; repeat. This is the big picture I have in mind when I plan instruction for this topic. Do my students learn this about Newton's method? Do they hang onto this one key picture as the important thing to remember? Alas, no. This article describes an idea for helping students see the big picture. It involves computer activities that allow students to manipulate mathematical objects at an almost tactile level. There are two reasons for doing this. First, carefully constructed activities can draw a student's attention to the big picture in a way that paper and pencil textbook exercises can not. Second, I believe that these activities can play a role in the college mathematics curriculum akin to the use of physical manipulatives in the elementary grades. I organize the presentation as follows. First, to give the flavor of the activities, one sample is described in detail. That is followed by a discussion of the pedagogical rationale for these activities and by descriptions of a few more sample activities. Next, there is a brief discussion of evidence supporting the use of computer activities. Finally, I explain how I create the activities.
Performance of a Traffic-Based Handover Method in High-Mobility Scenarios

A handover priority method for cellular systems based on statistical traffic profile estimates is evaluated in this work through simulation. The scheme is of practical interest as it is simple to compute, easy to implement and it provides network operators with a wide operating interval. The method is examined in scenarios with high mobility and large handover (i.e. overlapping) areas because handover policies are very important for providing QoS in these conditions. Handover performance degradation due to mobility is analysed. The implications of the overlapping area - a larger area decreases the probability of forced termination of ongoing calls to a greater extent than it increases the probability of blocking of new calls - are of practical interest, particularly in the presence of heavy traffic and mobility conditions.