Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inland river image defogging based on optimized contrast enhancement

The fog images of Inland River often have low contrast. This paper introduces a optimized contrast enhancement algorithm. Firstly, divide the fog image by using the hierarchical searching method of quad-tree subdivision. Choose the brightest pixel as the atmospheric light in the final selected block. Then, combine the Mean Squared Error and the loss function. Next, get the optimal transmission value which can balance the contrast and the information loss. Then, fix the transmission with guide filter and adaptive window slide. Finally, restore the defogged image by solving the atmosphere attenuation model. Compared with the results obtained by several existing classical defogging methods, the experimental result shows that the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the color distortion in sky region.
T F L T C M W  T

We survey recent results on the use of trajectories as a tool for modelling language operations and other, related objects. Many applications of the concept of trajectories have been developed since their introduction by Mateescu, Rozenberg and Salomaa in 1996. Areas which have seen activity include the theory of codes, language equations, modelling noisy channels, grammar models and DNA code-word design. We survey each of these areas.
Predicting Network Activity from High Throughput Metabolomics

The functional interpretation of high throughput metabolomics by mass spectrometry is hindered by the identification of metabolites, a tedious and challenging task. We present a set of computational algorithms which, by leveraging the collective power of metabolic pathways and networks, predict functional activity directly from spectral feature tables without a priori identification of metabolites. The algorithms were experimentally validated on the activation of innate immune cells.
Automatic Belief Revision in SNePS

SNePS is a logic- and network- based knowledge representation, reasoning, and acting system, based on a monotonic, paraconsistent, first-order term logic, with compositional intensional semantics. It has an ATMS-style facility for belief contraction, and an acting component, including a well-defined syntax and semantics for primitive and composite acts, as well as for ``rules'' that allow for acting in support of reasoning and reasoning in support of acting. SNePS has been designed to support natural language competent cognitive agents. When the current version of SNePS detects an explicit contradiction, it interacts with the user, providing information that helps the user decide what to remove from the knowledge base in order to remove the contradiction. The forthcoming SNePS 2.6 will also do automatic belief contraction if the information in the knowledge base warrents it.
Effects of selected therapeutic aerobic exercise on remedial case of premenstrual syndrome in case of Arba Minch University

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of selected therapeutic 12 weeks regular aerobic exercise on remedial case of premenstrual syndrome students. Materials: A quasi-experimental study was used on a randomly selected 30 female students aged 18 to 30 years who meet the eligibility criteria at Arba Minch University. Participants were divided in to two groups: experimental group (n=15) and control group (n=15) for comparison purpose. The therapeutic aerobic exercise duration was 40-60 minutes and carried out for 12 weeks with three sessions per week. In this study the premenstrual symptoms questionnaire consists of 8 domains of used. The domains were pain, concentration, behavioral change, autonomic reactions, water retention, negative effect, arousal and control. A paired t-test statistical method was used for data analysis. SPSS version 20 was used for data management and analysis. Result: The study found mean scores of negative reaction decreased after 12 weeks with a frequency of 3 per week therapeutic aerobic training in the experimental group but not in the control. Further, a statistically significant change was observed for all measured variables for experimental group. However, there was no a statistically significant change for the controls. The selected therapeutic aerobic exercise training program on treating premenstrual syndrome had a significance effects on experimental group and students who practiced for twelve weeks with a repetition of three times per week. Conclusion: Twelve weeks of regular therapeutic aerobic exercise with three sessions per a week with intensity of 40 to 60 minutes reduces the severity of feeling premenstrual syndrome symptoms (PMS).
Differentiated Discipline for Special Population Students At-Risk: A Qualitative Action Research Study

ii Dedication. iii Acknowledgments.v List of Tables.vi List of Figures . vii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Dissertation . 1 History and Conceptual Framework . 3 Problem Statement . 5 Purpose of the Study . 6 Research Questions . 7 Rationale, Relevance, and Significance of the Study . 9 Definitions of Terms . 13 Assumptions, Delimitations, and Limitations . 15 Summary of Chapter 1 . 18 Chapter 2: Literature Review . 20 Conceptual Framework . 23 Review of the Research Literature . 29 Review of Methodological Issues . 35 Synthesis of Research Findings . 42 Critique of Previous Research . 45 Summary of Chapter 2 . 47 Chapter 3: Methodology . 49 Research Questions . 56 Purpose and Design of Study.57 Research Population and Sampling . 61 Instrumentation . 63 Data Collection . 64 Identification of Attributes . 67 Data Analysis Procedures . 69 Limitations of the Research Design . 71 Validation . 72 Expected Findings . 74 Ethical Issues of the Study . 75 Summary of Chapter 3 . 79 Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Results . 81 Description of the Sample . 84 Research Methodology and Analysis . 87 Summary of the Findings . 91 Presentation of the Data and Results . 93 Summary of Chapter 4 . 116 Chapter 5: Conclusions and Discussion . 118 Summary of Results . 119 Discussion of the Results . 125 Discussion of the Results in Relation to the Literature.132 Limitations . 139 Implications of the Results for Practice, Policy, and Theory . 142 Recommendations for Future Research . 149 Conclusion . 152 References . 154 Appendix A: Elements of the Differentiated Discipline Inquiry Arts Project . 165 Appendix B: Sample Contingency Contract . 167 Appendix C: Interview Protocol . 169 Appendix D: Research Codes . 175 Appendix E: Participant’s Consent Forms . 180 Appendix F: Member Checking Form . 186 Appendix G: Data Figure 1 . 187 Appendix H: Statement of Original Work.188
Revisiting resource selection probability functions and single‐visit methods: clarification and extensions

Models accounting for imperfect detection are important. Single‐visit (SV) methods have been proposed as an alternative to multiple‐visit methods to relax the assumption of closed population. Knape & Korner‐Nievergelt (Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 2015) showed that under certain models of probability of detection, SV methods are statistically non‐identifiable leading to biased population estimates. There is a close relationship between estimation of the resource selection probability function (RSPF) using weighted distributions and SV methods for occupancy and abundance estimation. We explain the precise mathematical conditions needed for RSPF estimation as stated in Lele & Keim (Ecology, 87, 2006, 3021). The identical conditions that remained unstated in our papers on SV methodology are needed for SV methodology to work. We show that the class of admissible models is quite broad and does not excessively restrict the application of the RSPF or the SV methodology. To complement the work by Knape and Korner‐Nievergelt, we study the performance of multiple‐visit methods under the scaled logistic detection function and a much wider set of situations. In general, under the scaled logistic detection function, multiple‐visit methods also lead to biased estimates. As a solution to this problem, we extend the SV methodology to a class of models that allows use of scaled probability function. We propose a multinomial extension of SV methodology that can be used to check whether the detection function satisfies the RSPF condition or not. Furthermore, we show that if the scaling factor depends on covariates, then it can also be estimated. We argue that the instances where the RSPF condition is not satisfied are rare in practice. Hence, we disagree with the implication in Knape & Korner‐Nievergelt (Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 2015) that the need for RSPF condition makes SV methodology irrelevant in practice.
Space efficient dynamic stabbing with fast queries

In dynamic stabbing, we operate on a dynamic set of intervals. A stabbing query asks for an interval containing a given point. This basic problem encodes problems such as method look-up in object oriented programming languages and classification in IP firewalls. For such application, very fast, say constant, query time is extremely important, small space is very important, and fast updates are good but the least important. Previous solutions traded space and update time for fast queries. We show here that space needs not be sacrificed. We get the same trade-off between update time and query time but using only the space necessary for locating a query point among the interval end-points. All our bounds are optimal or near-optimal.
Construal Level and Procrastination

According to construal-level theory, events that are distant in time tend to be represented more abstractly than are events that are close in time. This mental association between level of abstractness and temporal distance is proposed to be a bidirectional relationship, such that level of representation of an event should also have effects on the time when the activity is performed. In the present studies, participants were asked to respond to a questionnaire via e-mail within 3 weeks. The questionnaire was designed to induce either an abstract or a concrete construal. Using a variety of manipulations of construal level, the studies supported the predictions of construal-level theory. Individuals were less likely to procrastinate performing the task when the questionnaire induced a more concrete construal. Furthermore, this effect did not depend on the attractiveness, importance, or perceived difficulty of the task.
On the capacity of wireless CSMA/CA multihop networks

Due to a poor understanding of the interactions among transmitters, wireless multihop networks have commonly been stigmatized as unpredictable in nature. Even elementary questions regarding the throughput limitations of these networks cannot be answered in general. In this paper we investigate the behavior of wireless multihop networks using carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA). Our goal is to understand how the transmissions of a particular node affect the medium access, and ultimately the throughput, of other nodes in the network. We introduce a theory which accurately models the behavior of these networks and show that, contrary to popular belief, their performance is easily predictable and can be described by a system of equations. Using the proposed theory, we provide the analytical expressions necessary to fully characterize the capacity region of any wireless CSMA/CA multihop network. We show that this region is nonconvex in general and entirely agnostic to the probability distributions of all network parameters, depending only on their expected values.
MULTI-EPOCH NEAR-INFRARED INTERFEROMETRY OF THE SPATIALLY RESOLVED DISK AROUND THE BE STAR ζ TAU

We present interferometric observations of the Be star ζ Tau obtained using the MIRC beam combiner at the CHARA Array. We resolved the disk during four epochs in 2007–2009. We fit the data with a geometric model to characterize the circumstellar disk as a skewed elliptical Gaussian and the central Be star as a uniform disk. The visibilities reveal a nearly edge-on disk with an FWHM major axis of ∼1.8 mas in the H band. The non-zero closure phases indicate an asymmetry within the disk. Interestingly, when combining our results with previously published interferometric observations of ζ Tau, we find a correlation between the position angle of the disk and the spectroscopic V/R ratio, suggesting that the tilt of the disk is precessing. This work is part of a multi-year monitoring campaign to investigate the development and outward motion of asymmetric structures in the disks of Be stars.
Downward Nominal Rigidity in West German Earnings, 1975-95

Abstract If downward nominal wage rigidity exists, it should affect the distribution of earnings changes. We present a common analytical framework for three distinct and previously unconnected approaches to the analysis of downward nominal rigidity, the skewness±location approach, the symmetry approach and the histogram±location approach. We modify them by dropping the assumption of time-invariant rigidity and apply them to earnings data from the IABB-escha Èftigtenstichprobe (IABS). We find that the distribution of West German log earnings changes is indeed affected by downward nominal rigidity. Our modification of the approaches also allows us to find that the degree of nominal rigidity depends on business cycle conditions, with weaker rigidity in times of rising unemployment. Our findings support the critics of very low inflation targets.
Cellular and Synaptic Localization of EAAT2a in Human Cerebral Cortex

We used light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical techniques to analyze the distribution, cellular and synaptic localization of EAAT2, the main glutamate transporter, in normal human neocortex. EAAT2a-immunoreactivity (ir) was in all layers and consisted of small neuropilar puncta and rare cells. In white matter EAAT2a+ cells were numerous. Electron microscopic studies showed that in gray matter ∼77% of immunoreactive elements were astrocytic processes, ∼14% axon terminals, ∼2.8% dendrites, whereas ∼5% were unidentifiable. In white matter, ∼81% were astrocytic processes, ∼17% were myelinated axons, and ∼2.0% were unidentified. EAAT2a-ir was never in microglial cells and oligodendrocytes. Pre-embedding electron microscopy showed that ∼67% of EAAT2a expressed at (or in the vicinity of) asymmetric synapses was in astrocytes, ∼17% in axon terminals, while ∼13% was both in astrocytes and in axons. Post-embedding electron microscopy studies showed that in astrocytic processes contacting asymmetric synapses and in axon terminals, gold particle density was ∼25.1 and ∼2.8 particles/μm2, respectively, and was concentrated in a membrane region extending for ∼300 nm from the active zone edge. Besides representing the first detailed description of EAAT2a in human cerebral cortex, these findings may contribute to understanding its role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases.
Metacognitive Strategies in Academic Writing

Among all the learning strategies, metacognitive strategy is a higher-order executive skill which entails planning, monitoring and evaluating. Once learners have a good command of a metacognitive strategy, they will become more independent and autonomous and will be more capable of planning, monitoring and evaluating their learning process and thus become efficient learners. This research aims to investigate whether freshmen students at the Faculty of Computer Technologies and Engineering at International Black Sea University (Tbilisi, Georgia) use metacognitive learning strategies (MLS) in their academic writing and they are aware of them; also, to find out whether their lecturers provide the development of MLSs in the classroom. In a class there were 20 students, however, just 15 volunteered to respond the interview questions. The findings showed that less than half of the participants used and were aware of metacognitive learning strategies. Although teachers mentioned such strategies during the classes, less than half of the 15 respondents used them or were aware of them. This paper, therefore, intends to introduce metacognitive instruction in order to raise EFL writing instructors’ awareness in teaching and in order to train students to become self-regulated learners.
Quantitative Analysis of Long-Form Aromatase mRNA in the Male and Female Rat Brain

In vitro studies show that estrogens acutely modulate synaptic function in both sexes. These acute effects may be mediated in vivo by estrogens synthesized within the brain, which could fluctuate more rapidly than circulating estrogens. For this to be the case, brain regions that respond acutely to estrogens should be capable of synthesizing them. To investigate this question, we used quantitative real-time PCR to measure expression of mRNA for the estrogen-synthesizing enzyme, aromatase, in different brain regions of male and female rats. Importantly, because brain aromatase exists in two forms, a long form with aromatase activity and a short form with unknown function, we targeted a sequence found exclusively in long-form aromatase. With this approach, we found highest expression of aromatase mRNA in the amygdala followed closely by the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and preoptic area (POA); we found moderate levels of aromatase mRNA in the dorsal hippocampus and cingulate cortex; and aromatase mRNA was detectable in brainstem and cerebellum, but levels were very low. In the amygdala, gonadal/hormonal status regulated aromatase expression in both sexes; in the BNST and POA, castration of males down-regulated aromatase, whereas there was no effect of estradiol in ovariectomized females. In the dorsal hippocampus and cingulate cortex, there were no differences in aromatase levels between males and females or effects of gonadal/hormonal status. These findings demonstrate that long-form aromatase is expressed in brain regions that respond acutely to estrogens, such as the dorsal hippocampus, and that gonadal/hormonal regulation of aromatase differs among different brain regions.
TRIM25 Identification in the Chinese Goose: Gene Structure, Tissue Expression Profiles, and Antiviral Immune Responses In Vivo and In Vitro

The retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and the RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) protein play a critical role in the interferon (IFN) response during RNA virus infection. The tripartite motif containing 25 proteins (TRIM25) was reported to modify caspase activation and RIG-I recruitment domains (CARDs) via ubiquitin. These modifications allow TRIM25 to interact with mitochondrial antiviral signaling molecules (MAVs) and form CARD-CARD tetramers. Goose TRIM25 was cloned from gosling lungs, which possess a 1662 bp open reading flame (ORF). This ORF encodes a predicted 554 amino acid protein consisting of a B-box domain, a coiled-coil domain, and a PRY/SPRY domain. The protein sequence has 89.25% sequence identity with Anas platyrhynchos TRIM25, 78.57% with Gallus gallus TRIM25, and 46.92% with Homo sapiens TRIM25. TRIM25 is expressed in all gosling and adult goose tissues examined. QRT-PCR revealed that goose TRIM25 transcription could be induced by goose IFN-α, goose IFN-γ, and goose IFN-λ, as well as a35 s polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), oligodeoxynucleotides 2006 (ODN 2006), and resiquimod (R848) in vitro; however, it is inhibited in H9N2 infected goslings for unknown reasons. These data suggest that goose TRIM25 might play a positive role in the regulation of the antiviral immune response.
Intermittency on catalysts

The present paper provides an overview of results obtained in four recent papers by the authors. These papers address the problem of intermittency for the Parabolic Anderson Model in a time-dependent random medium, describing the evolution of a \reactant" in the presence of a \catalyst". Three examples of catalysts are considered: (1) independent simple random walks; (2) symmetric exclusion process; (3) symmetric voter model. The focus is on the annealed Lyapunov exponents, i.e., the exponential growth rates of the successive moments of the reactant. It turns out that these exponents exhibit an interesting dependence on the dimension and on the diusion constant.
Unraveling the Neocolonial Epistemologies: Decolonizing Research Toward Transformative Literacy

For many years, research epistemologies and methodologies have been influenced by colonial perspectives in knowledge production. The focus of this article is to discuss ways in which research can be transformed for the purpose of including marginalized communities, such as Indigenous communities, whose knowledge has been systematically excluded in academic research. In fact, I argue that whether or not research is conducted in the contexts of Indigenous or other marginalized communities, it must embody the elements of decolonization to interrupt and interrogate the long-standing colonial discourse in research. I specifically focus on the importance of language as well as the sociocultural and historical awareness of communities who allow us to work with them. I conclude by urging all scholars to ask serious questions about the knowledge they produce and who benefits from it.
Advertising Effect on Consumer Emotions, Judgements, and Purchase Intent

Advertising has been found to induce consumer reactions, including emotions and judgements, which in turn are believed to relate to important outcomes, such as purchase intents. Marketing researches seek to understand these consumer reactions and their decision-making processes to influence purchase intents. This study focuses on the information role of emotion in understanding advertising effects and influencing consumer choices. Individuals use affective responses to evaluate information and to form judgements, which are critical in the decision-making process. This research further expands the Informative Strategy Model by adding judgement as a mediator. The results of a multiple mediation analysis provide support that consumers’ positive emotions directly influence their purchase intent, while consumer judgements partially mediate the effect of individuals’ emotions on purchase intents. Research findings benefit marketing and advertising professionals by providing empirical evidence for the effect of advertising, including controversial advertising on consumer purchase intent. The challenge with controversial advertising is that if individuals experience negative emotions and judgements, advertisers may have limited or potentially negative influence on consumer purchase intents.
Population Based Multicentric Survey on the Attitude and Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among Youth of the Three Senatorial Districts in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Nigeria, with an estimated population of 160 million (National Population Commission, 2014), is second to South Africa in the number of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, representing 9 percent of the global burden of the disease. Since 1991, the country has employed a sentinel surveillance system among pregnant women age 15-49 attending antenatal care to track HIV prevalence. Surveillance results show that HIV prevalence has declined over the years, from 5.8 percent in 2001 to 4.6 percent in International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 8 Number 04 (2019) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com