Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Approach to the Intelligent Monitoring of Anomalous Human Behaviour Based on the Actor Prolog Object-Oriented Logic Language

A method for the monitoring of anomalous human behaviour that is based on the logical description of complex human behaviour patterns and special kinds of blob (a separated area of a foreground image) motion statistical metrics is developed. The concurrent object-oriented logic language is used for the analysis of graphs of tracks of moving blobs; the graphs are supplied by low-level analysis algorithms implemented in a special built-in class of Actor Prolog. The blob motion statistics is collected by the low-level analysis procedures that are of the need for the discrimination of running people, people riding bicycles, and cars in a video scene. The first-order logic language is used for implementing the fuzzy logical inference based on the blob motion statistics. A research software platform is developed that is based on the Actor Prolog logic language and a state-of-the-art Prolog-to-Java translator for experimenting with the intelligent visual surveillance.
An introduction to game studies

An Introduction to Game Studies is a core textbook for game studies as an academic discipline, and is the comprehensive guide to the field. It introduces the student to the history and character of games studies as an analytical study of games in culture, and then moves to provide an overview of games as signifying and dynamic cultural constructs. This book shows how to analyze games by introducing the core analytical concepts in the contexts of games and game cultures of four periods. It covers the prehistory of games, the 70s, 80s, and 90s and also contemporary developments. Students will be introduced to both the theoretical core and the essential genres and classics of the subject.
Methods Compared for DeterminingGlutathionePeroxidase Activity in Blood

We compared four methods for determination of glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9) activity, using blood samples from 52 healthy volunteers. Two methods depended on direct assay of the amount of glutathione remaining at specific time intervals; the two indirect methods involved measuring the rate of disappearance of NAOPH. We assessed the precision and reproducibility of each method. One of the indirect assays proved to be far superior to the other methods. Results of each of the methods were correlated with one another. We present the normal reference intervals for glutathione peroxidase activity for all four methods.
Evaluation of face recognition techniques

Face recognition is an important technique which can be used in many applications. In recent years, face recognition has attracted large amount of research interest. Many recognition methods have been proposed, however, most of them are not able to make use of local salient features to effectively capture the face information. Recently, SIFT has been proposed for object matching in image retrieval area, and it proves to be a powerful matching tool. In this paper, we applied and studied SIFT method on face recognition, and compared it with the well known face recognition methods in literature, i.e., PCA and 2DPCA. Rigorous tests were carried out on 3 major face databases. Our results show SIFT has significant advantages over both PCA and 2DPCA in terms of recognition rate and number of training samples. This paper also points out some shortcomings of classic experiment method to recognize faces and improve them.
Advertising, Pricing & Market Structure in Competitive Matching Markets

This paper develops a model of pricing and advertising in a matching environment with capacity constrained sellers. Sellers' expenditure on directly informative advertising attracts consumers only probabilistically. Consumers who happen to observe advertisements randomize over the advertised sellers using symmetric mixed strategies. Equilibrium prices and profit maximizing advertising levels are derived and their properties analyzed, including the interplay of prices and advertising with the market structure. The model generates a unimodal (inverted U-shape) relationship between both, individual and industry advertising level, and market structure. The relationship results from a trade off between a price effect and a market structure-matching effect. We find that the decentralized market has underprovision of advertising, both for individual sellers and industry wide, and that entry is excessive relative to the efficient level. We present a quantitative analysis to highlight properties of the models and to demonstrate the extent of inefficiency.
The Effects of Local Major Offer on Major Choice

This paper uses the founding of the University of Lugano in the Swiss Canton of Ticino as a natural experiment to estimate the effect of distance to a university with a limited major offer on individual major choice. Our results clearly show that the effect of distance on major choice is significant and quantitatively important. The probability of an average student from Ticino to choose a major offered at the University of Lugano increased by at least 5.14 percent after the establishment of the university. The canton of Ticino is the only Italian speaking canton in Switzerland and comparatively geographically isolated from the other parts of the country. These facts suggest that our results are an upper border for the effect of distance on major choice. An important insight for policy decisions from this research is that a limited local major offer may distort major choices of high school graduates in the long run. Future research on major choice should control for distance to the next college offering a certain major because this distance might influence the results for other factors like relative income.
Preservice Teachers' Beliefs about Urban Contexts.

This article reports findings from a qualitative study of preservice teachers’ beliefs about the contexts of urban teaching. Participants were in their first semester of a K-6 licensure program designed to prepare them for urban teaching. Interviews and email reflective journal exchanges with the researcher were the data of the study, and descriptive-analytic findings are organized using a taxonomy of preservice teacher beliefs about urban children, schools, families, and communities. Interpretive generalizations are presented as consistencies and paradoxes across preservice teachers’ beliefs about teaching in urban settings.
The optimal rate of inflation and the inflation target: international experience and the Hungarian perspective

This article discusses the main factors considered in defining the country’s inflation target which was revised this year. Three key issues are covered: the theoretical and empirical literature dealing with the optimal level of inflation, international best practice and individual, country-specific factors that may justify deviation in any direction from best practice. The article finds that the 3% inflation target set by the MNB is consistent with all the three aspects reviewed and, consequently, contributes to the MNB achieving its primary statutory objective of price stability.
PV-battery system for smart green building using transformer coupled DC-DC converter

Power from Solar is absolutely perfect for use with irrigation systems for gardens; allotments; greenhouses and also for supporting the main grid. Since the power generation of PV system is highly depends upon the environmental conditions such as availability of sunlight; atmospheric temperature; wind speed etc. Combining a storage device with PV is one of the viable solutions to deal with the intermittency of renewable energy sources. Conventional methods of combining these components involve multistage converters and single-stage converters. The no of stages and switches increases the overall efficiency of the system decreases. In the conventional system an individual converter is used for maximum power point tracking and also a battery charge controller. These two individual converters are not used in every time. Transformer coupled dual input DC-DC converter is discussed in the system which integrates both the MPPT and battery charging discharging control. A coordinated control is used for making the system to work in four different modes of operation and there by satisfying the efficient MPPT and battery current tracking. The system is simulated and studied under various conditions in MATLAB/Simulink platform.
Training-Codes for the Noncoherent Multi-Antenna Block-Rayleigh-Fading Channel

We consider signal design for the noncoher- ent block-Rayleigh-fading channel, in which neither the transmitter nor the receiver know the fading coefficients. We show that several recently proposed signal designs for this channel can be interpreted as training-based, i.e., part of the coherence interval is used to transmit known sym- bols to learn the channel and in the remainder a "co- herent" information symbol is transmitted. At the re- ceiver, the estimated channel is then used as if correct, which allows to employ efficient implementations (like the sphere-decoder) for the coherent decision rule. We es- tablish conditions for which such a strategy is equivalent to the optimal noncoherent decision rule. Motivated by the good performance of the training schemes even when the coherence time is very small (indeed minimal), we propose the paradigm of training-codes to build signal- constellations for the noncoherent block-Rayleigh-fading channel. Training-codes leverage the advances made in co- herent codes and thus can often address the signal-design and efficient-decoding problems simultaneously.
Lipids in Health and Disease Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Children of Different Socioeconomic Status in Istanbul, Turkey: Directions for Public Health and Nutrition Policy

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to examine the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on physiological (lipid profile, obesity indices) and behavioral (dietary habits, physical activity) cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among primary schoolchildren in Istanbul. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: One private school and two public schools from different SES districts in Istanbul. Participants: 510 randomly selected children aged 12 and 13 years old (257 boys, 253 girls). Results: The prevalence of overweight (15.2%) and the energy intake (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 for boys and girls respectively) were found to be higher for the middle/ high SES group for both genders. Regarding biochemical indices, middle/ high SES children had higher values of High Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 for boys and girls respectively) and lower values of TC/HDL-C ratio and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 for boys and girls respectively). This could be attributed to the higher physical activity levels observed for middle/ high SES children (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings of the current study revealed a coexistence of both overweight and higher energy intake in middle/ high SES children, as well as a coexistence of underweight and lower physical activity levels in low SES children. These observations should guide the public health policy in developing appropriate intervention strategies to efficiently tackle these health and social issues early in life.
Theoretical predictions of complex formation of group-4 elements Zr, Hf, and Rf in H2SO4 solutions

Summary A process of step-wise complexation of group-4 elements Zr, Hf, and Rf in H2SO4 solutions has been considered theoretically. Relative values of the free energy change of the M(SO4)2(H2O)4, M(SO4)3(H2O)22− and M(SO4)44− (M = Zr, Hf, and Rf) formation reactions from hydrated and partially hydrolyzed cations have been calculated using the fully relativistic density functional theory method. They proved to be very similar for reactions of Zr and Hf. At low H2SO4 concentrations, Hf should, however, have a slight preference for the complex formation, especially, when hydrolysis takes place, while with increasing H2SO4 concentration and decreasing hydrolysis, the trend should be Zr > Hf. According to the results, Rf should exhibit a weaker tendency to complex formation than Zr and Hf at the entire range of acid concentrations, i.e., for all types of complexes. Thus, the predicted trend is Zr > Hf ≫ Rf. The same trend is also found for the formation of R4M(SO4)4, where R is a monovalent cation. Accordingly, the trend in the Kd (distribution coefficient) values in anion-exchange separations of group-4 elements should be: Zr > Hf ≫ Rf. The obtained trend for Zr and Hf is in agreement with literature data on extraction of these elements in macro-concentrations from sulphuric acid solutions and with recent experiments on extraction of single species by TOA in toluene using the SISAK technique.
The Importance of Distance to Resources in the Spatial Modelling of Bat Foraging Habitat

Many bats are threatened by habitat loss, but opportunities to manage their habitats are now increasing. Success of management depends greatly on the capacity to determine where and how interventions should take place, so models predicting how animals use landscapes are important to plan them. Bats are quite distinctive in the way they use space for foraging because (i) most are colonial central-place foragers and (ii) exploit scattered and distant resources, although this increases flying costs. To evaluate how important distances to resources are in modelling foraging bat habitat suitability, we radio-tracked two cave-dwelling species of conservation concern (Rhinolophus mehelyi and Miniopterus schreibersii) in a Mediterranean landscape. Habitat and distance variables were evaluated using logistic regression modelling. Distance variables greatly increased the performance of models, and distance to roost and to drinking water could alone explain 86 and 73% of the use of space by M. schreibersii and R. mehelyi, respectively. Land-cover and soil productivity also provided a significant contribution to the final models. Habitat suitability maps generated by models with and without distance variables differed substantially, confirming the shortcomings of maps generated without distance variables. Indeed, areas shown as highly suitable in maps generated without distance variables proved poorly suitable when distance variables were also considered. We concluded that distances to resources are determinant in the way bats forage across the landscape, and that using distance variables substantially improves the accuracy of suitability maps generated with spatially explicit models. Consequently, modelling with these variables is important to guide habitat management in bats and similarly mobile animals, particularly if they are central-place foragers or depend on spatially scarce resources.
A Survey of the Economics of Patent Systems and Procedures

The last several decades have seen increases in patenting activity worldwide, as well as growing issues related to patent quality. In response to these quality issues a recent patent literature has emerged, that investigates the behavior and incentives of patent examiners, applicants, and third parties. In this paper, we provide an overview of patent procedures, patent systems and a survey of the new economic literature on patent systems. Both theoretical and empirical papers are considered. Policy implications coming from this literature are presented.
Effects of Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 on Helicobacter pylori-Associated Dyspepsia: A Multicenter Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial

Some Lactobacillus spp. suppress Helicobacter pylori in the stomach and have potential therapeutic applications for the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions. In this study, the effects of Lactobacillus strains on functional dyspepsia associated with H. pylori infection were examined. Volunteers were screened using the 13C-urea breath test (UBT) and H. pylori stool test, and 131 participants who met the selection criteria (mean age: 48.9 years) were randomly given L. gasseri OLL2716-containing yogurt or placebo yogurt once daily for 12 weeks. Gastrointestinal symptoms (epigastric pain, bloating, postprandial fullness, nausea, and heartburn) and the levels of serum pepsinogen (PG), 13C-UBT, and H. pylori stool antigen were assessed. No significant differences were observed between the groups in UBT results, H. pylori stool antigens, or the serum PGI/II ratio. In the L. gasseri group, postprandial fullness was significantly lower at the end of the trial compared to the initial level (p < 0.05) and significantly fewer patients had a VAS score of >10 for bloating compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with L. gasseri OLL2716-containing yogurt may effectively suppress dyspeptic symptoms in H. pylori-infected patients. This study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Network Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN000016746).
The Normalized CES Production Function: Theory and Empirics

The elasticity of substitution between capital and labor and, in turn, the direction of technical change are critical parameters in many fields of economics. Until recently, though, the application of production functions with non-unitary substitution elasticities (i.e., non Cobb Douglas) was hampered by empirical and theoretical uncertainties. As has recently been revealed, JEL Classification: C22, E23, E25, O30, O51
Examination of Teacher Workplace Satisfaction and Student Achievement

Research has been conducted to study teacher workplace satisfaction. The following factors were identified as integral to teacher workplace satisfaction: administrative support; student behaviors; workplace atmosphere; autonomy and efficacy. Findings within the extant literature indicated that student achievement is a factor in teachers’ satisfaction with their work. Specifically, educators have repeatedly expressed a need to impact student achievement and have noted satisfaction or dissatisfaction in relation to their perception of their influence or lack therefore. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between teacher workplace satisfaction and student achievement with the intent of making recommendations regarding maximization of satisfaction in order to positively impact student achievement. A non-experimental design was used to examine teacher workplace satisfaction and student achievement. The researcher designed a teacher workplace satisfaction survey and distributed it to 1,532 teachers within a large metropolitan school district in Georgia to measure five factors of workplace satisfaction (administrative support, student behaviors, workplace atmosphere, autonomy, and efficacy). Further, student achievement data for each teacher participant was gathered. A mean scale score of student
Learners and Collaborative Learning in Virtual Worlds: A Review of the Literature.

The purpose of this paper is to present selected literature on learners and collaborative learning in virtual worlds. Research in virtual worlds on collaborative learners is gradually emerging and will gain in significance, particularly in online and distance education environments. It will be argued that the design and functionality of virtual worlds provides a platform for collaboration, particularly for learners that have grown up with digitalized learning environments and may have developed a preference for them. The paper starts with a clarification of terms, a description of the various categories and a chronological overview of the emergence and development of these environments. The familiarisation with the subject matter continues through a discussion of the significance, opportunities and barriers that this medium offers and is followed by an examination of learners’ characteristics and their implications for teaching and learning in virtual worlds. Drawing on recent examples of virtual worlds in education and some current statistics, the paper strives to meet the continuing education needs of practitioners and educator using virtual worlds. It concludes with an examination of the challenges and perspectives on collaborative learning in these environments and the trends in virtual worlds that impact the delivery of student learning.
Changes to near-surface region of PTFE during dry sliding against steel

PTFE specimens were slid against an EN24 disc. The unworn and worn surfaces as well as the wear debris were examined by X-ray diffraction. Sliding was found to introduce (i) shrinkage of the unit cell, (ii) enlargement of crystallites and (iii) residual stresses in the slid PTFE surface. No conformational changes in the 15, helix could be observed due to sliding. The wear debris was found to be 1 pm thick warped laminates.
Survival and Failure Outcomes in Primary Thyroid Lymphomas: A Single Centre Experience of Combined Modality Approach

Primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) is a rare malignancy and represents 2%–5% of all thyroid malignancies and 1%–2.5% of all malignant lymphomas. We present our institute's experience in combined modality management of 16 successive patients of PTL treated from 2005 to 2010. The median age of the patients was 56.0 years. Five patients were males, and 11 patients were females. An enlarging thyroid mass was the most common presenting symptom. 14 patients had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and 2 patients had follicular lymphoma. The most common stage of presentation was stage II comprising 6 (37.5%) patients. All patients received CCT, and only 12 patients received involved field RT with a median dose of 36.0 Gy. 10 patients (62.5%) had CR, and 6 patients (27.5%) had PR. Eight patients had disease progression in subsequent followup and this included the initial 6 patients with PR. The 5-year DFS was 40.0%, and median DFS was 47 months. The 5-year OS was 41.0%, and median OS was 51 months. Most common presentation in our series was locally advanced tumors. Most of these patients require combined modality management. Risk-adapted and multimodality approach is the need of the hour to achieve good control rates while minimizing treatment related toxicity.
Purchasing Power Parity and the Taylor Rule

It is well-known that there is a large degree of uncertainty around Rogoff’s (1996) consensus half-life of the real exchange rate. To obtain a more efficient estimator, we develop a system method that combines the Taylor rule and a standard exchange rate model to estimate half-lives. Further, we propose a median unbiased estimator for the system method based on the generalized method of moments with nonparametric grid bootstrap confidence intervals. Applying the method to real exchange rates of 18 developed countries against the US dollar, we find that most half-life estimates from the single equation method fall in the range of 3 to 5 years with wide confidence intervals that extend to positive infinity. In contrast, the system method yields median-unbiased estimates that are typically shorter than one year with much sharper 95% confidence intervals. Our Monte Carlo simulation results are consistent with an interpretation of these results that the true half-lives are short but long half-life estimates from single equation methods are caused by the high degree of uncertainty of these methods.