Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Introduce Applicability of Multi-Layer Perceptron to Predict the Behaviour of Semi-Interlocking Masonry Panel

The Semi Interlocking Masonry (SIM) system has been developed in Masonry Research Group at the University of Newcastle, Australia. The main purpose of this system is to enhance the seismic resistance of framed structures with masonry panels. In this system, SIM panels dissipate energy through the sliding friction between rows of SIM units during earthquake excitation. This paper aimed to find the applicability of artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the displacement behaviour of the SIM panel under out-ofplane loading. The general concept of ANN needs to be trained by related force-displacement data of SIM panel. The overall data to train and test the network are 70 increments of force-displacement from three tests, which comprise of none input nodes. The input data contain height and length of panels, height, length and width of the brick and friction and geometry angle of brick along the compressive strength of the brick with the lateral load applied to the panel. The aim of designed network is prediction displacement of the SIM panel by Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP). The mean square error (MSE) of network was 0.00042 and the coefficient of determination (R2) values showed the 0.91. The result revealed that the ANN has significant agreement to predict the SIM panel behaviour. Keywords—Semi interlocking masonry, artificial neural network, ANN, multi-layer perceptron, MLP, displacement, prediction.
Dust sources and deposition of aeolian materials in Iceland.

Iceland has about 22,000 km of sandy deserts that are a major source of atmospheric dust. Icelandic dust is mostly basaltic volcanic glass, which is rather unique for global dust sources. The dust comes mostly from two sources: confined plume areas and extensive sandy deserts. Major plume sources are identified by field observations and satellite images, while Icelandic sandy deserts have been mapped. Measured erosion fluxes commonly reach 500 to > 2,000 kg m day during storms. A map showing major plume areas and their deposition areas and a map showing deposition from sandy areas are produced and subsequently combined to obtain an overview of aeolian deposition in Iceland. Deposition rates range from 500 g m yr near or within major sandy areas. These numbers are higher than deposition rates reported for other major global dust areas. The spatial distribution of aeolian deposition has a key influence on important soil parameters, such as clay content and organic matter.
Resources Affecting Banks' CSR in Sultanate of Oman: A Stakeholders' Perspective

Corporate social responsibility is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into the business model. CSR functions as a builtin, self-regulating mechanism whereby business ensures its active compliance with the spirit of the law, ethical standards and international practices. This paper aims to study the resources affecting the CSR initiatives of the banks in Sultanate of Oman from the perspective of major stakeholders. This research is based on the survey conducted among the major stakeholders. The selection of the banking sector is rational as it can be considered to be representative of the financial institutions in Oman due to its majority stake. This paper contributes to the existing literature in CSR activities of the banks and stakeholders participation in CSR.
The Role of Frontal Executive Functions in Hypnosis and Hypnotic Suggestibility

There is both theoretical and empirical evidence supporting a role for frontal executive functions (FEFs) in hypnosis and hypnotic suggestibility. However, the precise nature of this involvement is debated. While there is clear evidence that FEFs are impaired under hypnosis, the cause of this decreased function is unclear. Theories make differing predictions as to the role of FEFs in hypnotic suggestibility, with some arguing that decreased baseline (normal function outside of the hypnotic context) FEFs lead to greater hypnotic suggestibility and others arguing that increased baseline FEFs lead to greater hypnotic suggestibility. Other theories posit that suggestibility is more a consequence of attitude rather than aptitude. The present work provides a critical review of the involvement of FEFs in hypnosis and hypnotic suggestibility. The review considers behavioral evidence from studies employing putative frontal lobe tasks including tests of fluid intelligence and both task- and nontask-based neuroimaging evidence. It is determined that the evidence to date is inconclusive and that more work is needed to establish a necessary and sufficient role for FEFs in hypnosis or hypnotic suggestibility. Recommendations are made for future research.
ELDERLY WIDOWS AND POVERTY: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM RURAL NIGERIA

Poverty among elderly widows in Nigeria is one of the most pervasive and yet the least recognized social problem. The cultural belief that it is the responsibility of the extended family members to cater for their needs contributes greatly to their neglect. Consequently, there is no formal established welfare programme in place to fill this gap. Drawing on data from in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs), the study investigates the impact of poverty on elderly widows and their coping mechanisms in selected rural communities in the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. Indepth interview and focus group discussion results indicate that spousal loss, poor health, lack of property inheritance, the present socio-economic climate, illiteracy, low level of occupation and income contribute greatly to the poverty status of elderly widows in rural Nigeria. The various coping strategies adopted included petty trading, farming, selling of personal property, and alms begging. The policy implication of the paper is also discussed.
Smoldering multiple myeloma: prevalence and current evidence guiding treatment decisions

Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is an asymptomatic plasma cell proliferative disorder associated with risk of progression to symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM) or amyloidosis. In comparison to monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), SMM has a much higher risk of progression to MM. Thanks to advances in our understanding of the risk factors, the subset of patients with ultra-high risk of progression to MM (80%–90% at 2 years) has been identified. The revision of the diagnostic criteria resulted in changes in the management of this cohort of patients. In contrast to the management guidelines for MGUS patients, SMM patients need to be studied more intensively in order to identify biomarkers necessary for accurate risk stratification. In this review, we focus on the risk of progression from SMM to MM, as well as the influence of early treatment on overall survival, time to progression and quality of life.
Comparison of Some Physicochemical Properties of Locust Bean Seeds Gum Extracted by Acid and Water Pre-Treatments

In this research, locust bean gums were removed from seeds with different extraction methods and some physicochemical properties were analyzed for gums and also locust beans. Three different extractions were treated at different temperatures and durations of sulfuric acid (H2SO4, 60%) solution, hydrochloric acid (HCl, 30%) solution and boiling water. Following dehulling and drying processes, seeds were milled and locust bean gums (LBG) were obtained eventually. The color values, moisture, protein, ash, sugar, pH, total acidity, soluble solids content, foreign particulates, acid insoluble ash contents and viscosity curves were compared for all samples. The results exhibited that the highest ash (1.94%) and protein (6.65%) contents were determined by water extraction gum, the highest acid-insoluble ash (3.58%) and foreign particulates (44.17%) contents were determined by HCl extraction gum. The lowest protein (5.01%), acid insoluble ash (1.29%), the foreign particulates (34.99%) and the highest viscosity value (533.9 mPas) were found from H2SO4 extraction gum. The results of investigation also showed that the H2SO4 extraction method was found to be more appropriate than HCl and water extraction methods to obtain a good quality gum.
A Comprehensive Review of the Cognitive Determinants of Anxiety and Rumination in Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is characterised by an intense fear of social situations in which the individual believes they may be negatively evaluated (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). A number of cognitive models (Clark & Wells, 1995; Hofmann, 2007; Rapee & Heimberg, 1997) have been proposed that provide frameworks for understanding the key cognitive processes involved in SAD. Negative rumination, which can be divided into pre- and post-event rumination, appears to be a key maintaining factor in the cycle of social anxiety. However, there are mixed findings regarding the cognitive predictors of post-event rumination and a lack of research regarding the consequences and predictors of pre-event rumination. Furthermore, there has been little empirical research investigating the effects of targeting negative rumination and state anxiety in social anxiety treatment. If the cognitive predictors of negative rumination can be determined then they can be targeted when designing interventions that aim to break the vicious cycle of social anxiety. The state of research investigating the cognitive determinants of state anxiety and negative rumination is reviewed and suggestions are made for continuing research.
Exchange rate volatility and firm performance in Nigeria: A dynamic panel regression approach

ABSTRACT:This study investigated the effects of exchange rate volatility on firm performance in Nigeria, by examining cross sectional data for the most active 20 companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The study developed three dynamic panel models that account for heterogeneities among the companies and it extended recent research by allowing international investors and corporations to base their investment decisions on the exchange rate volatilities between the Nigerian Naira and their home country currencies. The method used in the study is the dynamic panel data approach applying the Arrelano-Bond dynamic panel-data and Arellano-Bover generalized method of moments (GMM) estimators. The variables used in the study to proxy firm performance are the rate of return on assets (RRA), asset turnover ratio (ATR), and portfolio activity & resilience (PAR) variable. While RRA variable is obtained by simply dividing the firm’s profits by the total assets of the business, ATR variable and the PAR variables are obtained by dividing the firm’s sales revenue by the assets employed in the business and by dividing the percentage change in sales by the percentage change in gross domestic product GDP. The exchange rate volatility variable is simply obtained by taking the square of the mean adjusted relative change in the official exchange rate. The result of the paned data estimate shows that there is no significant difference between the Arrelano-Bond dynamic panel approach and Arellano-Bover generalized method of moments (GMM) estimators. The result of the three estimates revealed that exchange rate volatility has significant negative impacts on the rate of return on assets, asset turn ratio and the portfolio activity & resilience, thus, establishing that there exist a significant negative impact of exchange rate volatility on firm performance in Nigeria between 2004 and 2013. Overall, the study suggests that the higher the exchange rate volatility in an economy the less efficient will firms operating in the economy and by implication the lower will be firms’ operating performance.
Evolution of the epicormic potential on 17-year-old Quercus petraea trees: first results

The epicormic potential was represented by the number of visible epicormic buds (primary and secondary) present at a given time and on a given length of stem. Data were collected from sixty-six 4-year-old annual shoots on 17-year-old Quercus petraeawith 3 stand densities. We estimated the epicormic potential in 1997 and then followed its evolution over the next 2 years. Preliminary results showed that the epicormic potential decreased from 1997 to 1999, independently to the stand density. The loss of epicormic buds (death or development into shoots) was not compensated by the production of new epicormic buds. Furthermore, we report that the composition of the epicormic potential was unchanged for these 2 years: one third were primary epicormic buds and two thirds were secondary epi- cormic buds. Secondary epicormic buds were mainly found as individual and located at the base of branches. No formations of large clusters of epicormic buds were observed.
Rainwater composition in northeast Uruguay

The chemical composition of rainfall in northeast Uruguay in 1999 and 2000 and the sources that contribute to the rainwater chemistry are assessed in this study, contributing to a limited knowledge base of rainwater quality in South America. Principal factor analysis and cluster analysis indicate that four main source groups influence the rainfall chemistry over a range of spatial scales. Terrigenous sources (e.g. rock, soil and dust) and agricultural sources (e.g. livestock and crop fertilization) contribute to rainwater chemistry on a local and sub-regional scale. Influx of marine air from the Atlantic Ocean has a regional-scale influence while biomass burning contributes at both a local and subregional scale (e.g. fuel wood, and agroindustries) and through long-range transport (forest fires and land clearing). As may be expected in this area dominated by agriculture, the concentrations of ions that are indicative of industrial emissions, NO3 and SO4 2 , are typical of background measurements. The current data are limited, but provide an indication of rain quality and the sources that influence its chemistry in Uruguay. It may be inferred that large-scale biomass burning in the central parts of the continent influence rainwater chemistry on a scale far larger than indicated by the Uruguayan network. Similarly, but to lesser extent, the influx of marine air off the Atlantic Ocean has a greater regional-scale influence than suggested by these data. r 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Cyclophosphamide Pulses Therapy after Natalizumab Discontinuation for Multiple Sclerosis: A Multicentre Study

Importance: Natalizumab discontinuation induces the recurrence of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disease activity: Currently no therapeutic approach has been found able to abolish disease reactivation. Objective: To collect data from patients with MS switching from natalizumab to cyclophosphamide. Design: Retrospective multicentre study. Setting: Nine Multiple Sclerosis Centers in Italy. Participants: A total of 47 patients with clinically definite RR-MS switched to cyclophosphamide after natalizumab discontinuation. Two patients were excluded from the analysis because received less than 12 natalizumab infusions. The remaining 45 patients were subdivided into two main groups: Early Treatment (period of washout between natalizumab and cyclophosphamide 1 to 3 months), Late Treatment (washout between natalizumab and cyclophosphamide higher than 3 months). Intervention: Cyclophosphamide intravenous pulses after natalizumab discontinuation. Main outcome measure: Number of relapses, Expanded Disability Status Scale scores, number of new T2/fluidattenuated inversion recovery lesions and contrast-enhancing lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging, rebound effect, adverse events. Results: In the Early Treatment group, only 3/23 patients (13%) experienced a clinical relapse and only 2 out of 13 (15%) patients showed brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) activity at 3 months, while none developed MRI activity at 6 months after cyclophosphamide introduction. In the Late Treatment Group 12/22 patients (63%) had relapses during the washout period and 4/22 (40%) after the introduction of cyclophosphamide; MRI disease activity was shown in 5/9 (56%) at 3 months and in 5/14 (36%) at 6 months after cyclophosphamide introduction. Conclusions and relevance: These data show that cyclophosphamide could be able to reduce disease reactivation after natalizumab, in particular with a short washout period after natalizumab discontinuation. It can be suggested that a short period (3-6 months) of cyclophosphamide monthly pulses could be used as “re-induction” treatment in patients discontinuing natalizumab.
Seasonal influences on surface ozone variability in continental South Africa and implications for air quality

Although elevated surface ozone (O3) concentrations are observed in many areas within southern Africa, few studies have investigated the regional atmospheric chemistry and dominant atmospheric processes driving surface O3 formation in this region. Therefore, an assessment of comprehensive continuous surface O3 measurements performed at four sites in continental South Africa was conducted. The regional O3 problem was evident, with O3 concentrations regularly exceeding the South African air quality standard limit, while O3 levels were higher compared to other background sites in the Southern Hemisphere. The temporal O3 patterns observed at the four sites resembled typical trends for O3 in continental South Africa, with O3 concentrations peaking in late winter and early spring. Increased O3 concentrations in winter were indicative of increased emissions of O3 precursors from household combustion and other low-level sources, while a spring maximum observed at all the sites was attributed to increased regional biomass burning. Source area maps of O3 and CO indicated significantly higher O3 and CO concentrations associated with air masses passing over a region with increased seasonal open biomass burning, which indicated CO associated with open biomass burning as a major source of O3 in continental South Africa. A strong correlation between O3 on CO was observed, while O3 levels remained relatively constant or decreased with increasing NOx, which supports a VOC-limited regime. The instantaneous production rate of O3 calculated at Welgegund indicated that ~ 40 % of O3 production occurred in the VOC-limited regime. The relationship between O3 and precursor species suggests that continental South Africa can be considered VOC limited, which can be attributed to high anthropogenic emissions of NOx in the interior of South Africa. The study indicated that the most effective emission control strategy to reduce O3 levels in continental South Africa should be CO and VOC reduction, mainly associated with household combustion and regional open biomass burning.
Towards robust grasps: Using the environment semantics for robotic object affordances

Arti ﬁ cial Intelligence is essential to achieve a reliable human-robot interaction, especially when it comes to manipulation tasks. Most of the state-of-the-art literature explores robotics grasping methods by focusing on the target object or the robot’s morphology, without including the environment. When it comes to human cognitive development approaches, these physical qualities are not only inferred from the object, but also from the semantic characteristics of the surroundings. The same analogy can be used in robotic affordances for improving objects grasps, where the perceived physical qualities of the objects give valuable information about the possible manipulation actions. This work proposes a framework able to reason on the object affordances and grasping regions. Each calculated grasping area is the result of a sequence of concrete ranked decisions based on the inference of different highly related attributes. The results show that the system is able to infer on good grasping areas depending on its affordance without having any a-priori knowledge on the shape nor the grasping points.
Homology and some homotopy decompositions for the James filtration on spheres

The filtrations on the James construction on spheres, Jk (S2n), have played a major role in the study of the double suspension S2n-1 -f f2S2n+l and have been used to get information about the homotopy groups of spheres and Moore spaces and to construct product decompositions of related spaces. In this paper we calculate H. (QJk (S2n); Z/pZ) for odd primes p. When k has the form pt 1, the result is well known, but these are exceptional cases in which the homology has polynomial growth. We find that in general the homology has exponential growth and in some cases also has higher p-torsion. The calculations are applied to construct a p-local product decomposition of QJk (S2n) for k < p2 p which demonstrates a mod p homotopy exponent in these cases. 0. INTRODUCTION One of the major problems in homotopy theory is to determine the properties of spaces of the form QX, where X is a simply connected finite complex. A dichotomy in the rational homotopy of such spaces has been observed by Felix, Halperin, and Thomas [FHT], who showed that for such X, either irn(X) 0 Q is 0 for all sufficiently large n or else its dimensions grow exponentially with n. Expressed in terms of homology rather than homotopy groups, this translates to saying that either dim Hn(QX; Q) has polynomial growth or it has exponential growth. They introduced the terminology "elliptic" for the first type of space and "hyperbolic" for the second. Independently, John Moore observed that this distinction between elliptic and hyperbolic appears to be reflected in the properties of the torsion homotopy groups of the space as well. He conjectured that an elliptic complex should have a homotopy exponent for each prime while a hyperbolic complex should not have a homotopy exponent for any prime (cf. [S3]). That is, given a prime p, there should exist an r such that pr(p-torsion irn(X)) = 0 for all n if and only if X is elliptic. Given a prime p, spaces can be further differentiated according to whether or not the mod-p homology of their loop space has polynomial growth or not. We say that X is mod-p elliptic if Hn (QX; Z/pZ) has polynomial growth and mod-p hyperbolic otherwise. It is not known whether the mod-p homology of mod-p hyperbolic spaces must have exponential growth. Of course if X is hyperbolic, then it is mod p hyberbolic for each prime p, but an elliptic space may be mod p hyperbolic as illustrated by the mod p Moore space Sk-l Up ek which we will write as pk(p). Received by the editors July 21, 1994. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 55P99, 55P10. Research partially supported by a grant from NSERC. )1996 American Mathematical Society 3549 This content downloaded from 207.46. 13.149 on Mon, 03 Oct 2016 06:09:35 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor. org/terms
The Long Term Impact of French Settlement on Education in Algeria ∗ Ouarda Merrouche

This paper provides evidence on the long run relationship between European settlers presence and education levels in Algeria. To correct for endogenous sorting of settlers (and natives) into regions I rely on the fact that proximity to the Mediteranean coast determined the timing of conquest and therefore settlements’ size. The main finding indicates that the colonial policy of discrimination explains a large fraction of the disparities in literacy across regions through 1998. However this effect declines significantly over time. I point out three factors that may explain this declining effect: (1) the massive funds allocated to the education sector post-war; (2) the role of the market via migration; (3) social interaction effects whereby natives progressively adopted education and fertility norms of the settlers. JEL: O15, I29, I38