Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Genetic Algorithms to Find and Evaluate Parameters for Adaptive Digital Audio Effects

Cross-adaptive audio effects are audio effects whose parameters are controlled or influenced by features of audio signals other than the one being affected. In other words, there is a mapping from one or several analyzed features of some signal(s) to one or more parameters of an effect processing a different signal. This thesis aims to find and evaluate such mappings using AI methods, specifically a genetic algorithm, with the evaluation of a mapping’s fitness being a measure of musical applicability. A possible design and its implementation are presented, and experiments which show that the idea is feasible are carried out. Sammendrag Cross-adaptive lydeffekter, er lydeffekter hvis parametre påvirkes av egenskaper ved andre lydsignal enn det signalet effekten behandler. Med andre ord finnes det en kobling mellom analysen av ett signal og parametrene til en effekt som påverker et annet signal. Denne masteroppgaven tar sikte på å finne og undersøke slike koblinger ved hjelp av metoder fra kunstig intelligens, konkret en genetisk algoritme, og å måle virkningen av en kobling ut fra musikalsk nytteverdi. Gjennom oppgaven fremlegges et design og en implementasjon av denne, og det fremlegges eksperimenter som viser at oppgavens grunntanke er gjennomførbar.
Thrombosis of the Vertebral Artery from Hyperextension Injury to the Neck

T EMPORARY and permanent occlusion of the vertebral artery by rotation or hyperextension of the neck has been reported in association with chiropractic manipulations, 7 head trauma, 1 the application of tong traction, 1~ and voluntary movement. 11 Many of the cases ended fatally, with thrombosis demonstrated at autopsy extending from some point in the cervical vertebral artery to involve the posteriorinferior cerebellar and basilar arteries. In some patients who survived, this pathology was suspected on the basis of the development of a Wallenberg's syndrome following the injury. In most instances the diagnosis has been made at autopsy. We could find no reports similar to our present case in which bilateral traumatic vertebral artery occlusion was demonstrated in the living patient by arteriography and no instance in which endarterectomy was performed. The present case also demonstrates a unique injury of the cervical spine which apparently predisposed the patient to delayed posttraumatic vertebral artery occlusion. per min. Episodes of conjugate deviation of the eyes to the right were noted sporadically. The deep tendon reflexes were equal and symmetric throughout, although there was a left extensor plantar response. Marked neck stiffness was noted on admission, and a lumbar puncture demonstrated bloody spinal fluid under normal pressure. During t he ensuing hours the patient's level of consciousness improved somewhat and he was able to converse and follow commands. X-rays of the skull and cervical spine were initially reported as normal except for congenital fusion of the bodies at C-4 and C-5. Further review of these x-rays (Fig. 1) revealed an anterior widening of the C3-4 and C5-6 disc spaces. Also, a thin rim of bone continuous with the anterior margin of the C-5 body was elevated away
Financial co-movement and correlation: evidence from 33 international stock market indices

The analysis of financial market co-movement is an important issue for both policy makers and portfolio managers, for example, in terms of policy coordination and portfolio diversification. This paper presents evidence based on a data set of 33 daily international stock market indices. Initially, using established cointegration and multivariate GARCH frameworks, we report results that suggest correlations with the US have not in general exhibited an upward trend. The main exception to this is the G7 economies, although even here the correlations declined over the last part of the sample. On a regional basis there is stronger evidence of rising correlations, notably in Europe, although again this evidence is not ubiquitous. Further, we also implement the recently developed non-parametric, model-free and realised variance methodology to generate correlation coefficients. This method overcomes deficiencies in both the cointegration and GARCH methods. The results here largely support those of the GARCH analysis. Finally, we use the time-varying correlation methods to form international portfolios and compare their performance to that of an equally weighted portfolio. Results suggest that accounting for time-variation is particularly beneficial for the larger markets but more marginal for the smaller markets. Our results thus suggest that there remains room for portfolio managers to obtain diversification benefits, while policy makers may need to take in account possible adjustment costs of coordinated action.
Household Waste Generating Factors and Composition Study for Effective Management in Gorkha Municipality of Nepal

Municipal solid waste is a growing concern in cities of developing countries and households are the main contributor. Lack of reliable data sources remain one of the major drawbacks for deciding on effective waste management option. The study area Gorkha municipality is selected because it is one of the highly under-researched and least resource intensive municipalities in Nepal. However, continued growth in municipal waste if left unattended will only intensify the problem and thus demands proactive action. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze waste composition and to evaluate the socioeconomic factors impacting household waste generation for effective management. Using stratified sampling method, 401 households were selected from all 15 municipal wards. Socioeconomic factors impacting household waste generation were assessed using Ordinary Least Square regression model. The rate of household waste generation in Gorkha municipality is found to be 0.24 kg/capita/day and estimated total household waste generation of 9.4 tonnes/day. Household size and income are found to have positive impact on waste generation, both statistically significant at 1% and thus can be important indicators to forecast solid waste generation trend. Household waste composition was 47.25% organic waste, 37.52% recyclable waste that comprised of 10.38% paper and paper products, 9.88% glass, 6.92% metal, 5.39% plastic, 3.57% textile and 1.38% rubber and leather, and rest 15.23% other waste. Organic waste has the highest share and if not managed properly, creates serious health and environmental hazards. It could be managed efficiently by composting at household and local government level.
EVALUATION OF MILK PRODUCTION OF AN ALGERIAN LOCAL RABBIT POPULATION RAISED IN THE TIZI-OUZOU AREA ( KABYLIA )

In order to characterize the does of a local Kabylian rabbit population raised in Algeria, a study of their milk production was carried out in the experimental rabbitry of the Tizi-Ouzou University. Milk production of does was measured every day during the 21 days following 299 parturitions by weighing each litter before and after the single daily suckling. The calculated parameters were the quantity of milk produced per day, per week and the total quantity produced in 21 days, as well as the intake of milk per young rabbit. The analysis concerned the effects of the parity order (4 classes: 1 to 4-and-more) and of the average number of young rabbits suckled per litter (7 classes: from 2-3 kits to more-than-8). During the 21 days of controlled lactation, the average litter size was 5.6 ± 2.3. The rabbit does of the local Kabylian population produced on average 2180 ± 719 g in 21 days, which is 104 g of milk/day. The milk intake of young rabbits increased from 12.6 g/day/kit during the 1st week, to 27.2 g/day during the 3rd week of lactation. The number of young per litter influenced the does’ milk production very significantly: 62.8 g/d for 2 to 3 young per litter, and up to 127-131 g/day for more than 6 young, although milk production available per kit and per day decreased linearly with the number of kits in the litter for each of the 3 weeks considered. On the other hand, the average milk production expressed as quantity available per kit and per day was not significantly affected by the parity order: 20-21 g /kit /day on average for the 0-21 day period.
An Experimentally Tuned Dynamic Model Predicting Cell Migration for Guidance of Sprouting Endothelial Cells

Endothelial cells (ECs) create a vascular network with a tubular structure in response to growth factors diffused into the gel and interactions with the surrounding environment. Individual cells migrate in response to all of these cues, leading to network pattern formation. This paper presents a dynamic model predicting EC sprout growth that is tuned to time-lapse experimental cell migration data obtained from microfluidic 3D culture. Simple cell migration equations with just a few parameters are formulated and a Maximum Likelihood estimator is used for estimating model parameters from experimental data. The tuned model is used to evaluate the influence of different sprout elongation rates on cell density in the sprout stalk. This quantitative modeling approach will lead to input shaping and feedback control to optimize sprouting metrics such as stalk cell density.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Educational Borrowing and Mathematics Curriculum: Realistic Mathematics Education in the Dutch and Indonesian Primary Curriculum

Since the late 1990s, Indonesian mathematics educators have considered Realistic Mathematics Education (RME), the Dutch approach to mathematics instruction, to be the basis for educational reform. In the National curriculum development, RME has, therefore, been reviewed as among the theoretical references to the curriculum goals and content. In the present study, an analysis of the consistency between RME and the curriculum descriptors and contents in Indonesia is presented. This is supplemented with some comparisons to that in the Netherlands. Findings in this study revealed that while most of RME principles are reflected in the Indonesian curriculum, the descriptions were often very general and less explicit compared to the Dutch curriculum. They were also limited by the content-based approach as well as by the centralized decision making process of the contents to be taught which have been pre-determined at the national level. This study suggests future research to see how the curriculum may influence teachers’ enactment of RME at classroom level.
High ‘Loss to Follow-Up’ of Adolescent Pregnancies in Yaounde. What are the Determinants and Challenges?

Background: Adolescent pregnancies are characterized by high rate of maternal, foetal and neonatal morbi-mortality. Adherence to antenatal care still remains a major challenge amongst pregnant adolescents in a resource-limited setting. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the rate of loss to follow up of adolescent pregnancies and describe the determinants of this loss to follow up. Methods: We conducted a 1: 1.3 unmatched case-control study at adolescent clinic of the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetrics and Paediatric Hospital, Cameroun from November 2016 to June 2017. Cases were pregnant adolescents aged between 14 to 19 years loss to follow-up during antenatal care, meanwhile those who completed their pregnancy follow-up constituted the controls. An error margin of 5% was set. A multivariate analysis was performed to rule out confounders. Results: A total of 549 adolescents consulted for antenatal care in the adolescent clinic. Overall, 308 (56.1%) of them completed their follow-up till delivery given a rate of loss to follow up of 44%. After multivariate analysis independent risk factors associated with loss to follow-up were working in the informal sector, originating from the North-West region of Cameroon, the long waiting period during antenatal consultation, long distance to the hospital, medical fees (antenatal consultations and laboratory) considered as expensive, high cost of delivery, the aggressive attitude of the hospital staff, large family size and low socioeconomic status. Conclusion: About half of all adolescents’ pregnancies in Yaoundé have a loss to follow up. This high rate of loss to follow up is due to multiple sociodemographic, cultural, medical, logistics and obstetric determinants. The identification of these factors could help decision makers in improving adolescent access to quality medical care during pregnancy.
Expression of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 gene of Staphylococcus aureus in milk: Proof of concept

The aim of this study was to assess the expression of a toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) gene of Staphylococcus aureus in different types of milk, depending on inadequate temperature and storage conditions. Pasteurized and UHT milk were inoculated with monotoxic TSST-1 strain of S. aureus and growth kinetics was determined by the drop plate method using Baird-Parker agar medium in accordance with EN ISO 6888-1. The patterns of gene regulation were detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Relative quantification method for statistical significance testing was used to detect significant gene expression responses. The results of experiments showed the dependence of the growth rate and consequent up-regulation of TSST-1 encoding gene on storage time-temperature and type of milk. In contaminated pasteurized and UHT milk kept at both 15 °C and 22 °C S. aureus significantly increased its virulent potential over time. This effect was a bit more emphasized in UHT milk serving as a “proof of concept”. Possible explanation could be a presence of lactic acid bacteria in pasteurized milk which is known to have down-regulatory effect on TSST-1 gene. Maintenance of the milk storage temperature below 8 °C and employment of microbiological control measures in hygienic practices, from milk producer through retailer and on to the consumer is of utmost importance to decrease risk of non-emetic staphylococcal poisoning.
Smear Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) Patients Suspected to Have Drug Resistant TB in Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant TB Unit in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Background: Tuberculosis remains a major health problem with more than 3 million deaths and 9 million new cases annually. Pakistan ranks 5th in the top 22 tuberculosis burden countries. Prevalence of all tuberculosis cases is 342 per 100,000 individuals in Pakistan. Objectives: The objective of the present study was to assess the frequency and pattern of tuberculosis in a population from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in programmatic management of drug resistant tuberculosis unit lady reading hospital Peshawar, Pakistan between January, 2014 and December, 2014. A total of 1330 specimens from suspected drug resistant tuberculosis patients were analyzed by light-emitting diodes-fluorescence microscopy (LED-FM). The SPSS 18 software was used for data analysis. Results: Of the 1330 drug resistant tuberculosis suspect patients tested by LED-FM microscopy, 824 (62%) were smear positive for Mycobacterium and 306 (38%) were negative. Mean age was 30.92 ± 14.91 years. Out of smear positive cases, 462 (56.1%) were female, 722 (87.6%) were previously treated, and 446 (54.1%) were in < 30 years old. A statistically significant association was observed between female gender, previous tuberculosis treatment, and age category (< 30 years) with smear positive results. Conclusions: Female gender, previous treatment, and young age (< 30 years) were significantly associated with smear positivity. Early detection and effective treatment of active tuberculosis cases is of paramount importance to reduce the burden of tuberculosis. Light-emitting diodes- fluorescence microscopy is the best method for early diagnosis of tuberculosis if performed by an experienced microbiologist, as it is reliable and inexpensive.
The distribution of foreign direct investment in China

Foreign direct investment (FDI) has played a major role in China's push toward a market-oriented economy. Recent inflows account for 40 percent of combined flows of FDI to all developing countries, making China the biggest developing country FDI recipient. This record is impressive, but certain problems must be overcome if FDI is to continue to help sustain the country's record growth rate and further its economic development. For one thing, FDI in China is highly concentrated geographically, and its sector distribution is highly uneven. The authors empirically analyze the geographic determinants of FDI in China. They find that FDI's geographical distribution in China is determined mostly by GNP, infrastructure development, level of general education, and coastal location. Although the sectoral distribution of FDI is coming into line with the rest of the world, in the past, FDI has been biased toward speculative types of investment, especially in the real estate sector.
Mathematical Modelling of Spray Combustion-Numerical and Analytical Analysis with application to Engineering Science

In the present paper we applied two well- known analytical method to the problem of thermal explosion of monodisperse and polydisperse fuel spray. The methods are the method of integral manifold (MIM) and the homotopy analysis method (HAM). The MIM method used as a basic tools for the analysis of SPS system of ordinary differential equations which means that the physical/ mathematical model should contain a small parameter in the governing equations. The HAM is always valid no matter whether there exist small physical parameters or not in contrast to the classical perturbation methods which requires the existence of a small parameter in the system (in general this is not the case). According to the theory of HAM, the convergence and the rate of solution series are dependent on the convergent control parameter h. This means that this parameter gives one a convenient way to adjust and to control the convergent region of the solutions.
The Use of Manipulatives in Mathematics Education

The study was designed to investigate the efficacy of using algebra tile manipulatives in junior high school students’ performance. The study sample comprised 56 students from two schools purposely selected from two towns within the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem municipality. The students were made up of two groups; the experimental and the control group. Each group was taught the same algebra units over a period of four weeks. However, the experimental group was taught using algebra tile manipulatives whilst the control group was taught using the conventional ‘talk and chalk’ method. The instruments used for data collection were mathematics achievement pretest and posttest. Students’ achievements on the posttest were analysed using percentages, mean, standard deviation and the independent t-test. The findings of the study were that, those who were taught through extensive use of algebra tiles performed significantly better. Thus the use of the algebra tiles proved very effective and promising approach to teaching and learning algebra, and that the tiles also improved students’ thinking process as they solved problems in algebra. On the basis of these findings, it is recommended that algebra tiles should be used as a tool to introducing students to algebraic concepts. Keywords: Manipulatives, instruction, performance, learning
Studies on silver ions releasing processes and 2 mechanical properties of surface-modified titanium 3 alloy implants 4 5

Dispersed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the surface of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) and 17 titanium alloy modified by titania nanotube layer (Ti6Al4V/TNT) substrates were produced by 18 chemical vapor deposition method (CVD) using novel precursor of the formula 19 [Ag5(O2CC2F5)5(H2O)3]. The structure and volatile properties of this compound were determined 20 using single crystal X-ray diffractometry, variable temperature IR spectrophotometry (VT IR), and 21 electron inducted mass spectrometry (EI MS). The morphology and the structure of the produced 22 Ti6Al4V/AgNPs, and Ti6Al4V/TNT/AgNPs composites were characterized by scanning electron 23 microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Moreover, measurements of hardness, 24 Young’s modulus, adhesion, and surface free energy have been carried out. The ability to release 25 silver ions from the surface of produced nanocomposite materials immersed in PBS solution has 26 been estimated using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS). The wettability and 27 the surface free energy of samples were estimated on the base of contact angle studies with the use 28 of water and diiodomethane. Among the studied surface-modified titanium alloy implants, the 29 best nano-mechanical properties were noticed for the Ti6Al4V/TNT15/AgNPs composite. The 30 location of silver nanoparticles inside of titania nanotubes caused their lowest release rate, which 31 may indicate on suitable properties above mentioned type of the composite for the construction of 32 implants with a long term of antimicrobial activity. 33
Total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant activity of Vigna sinensis.

Vigna sinensis also known as long-podded cowpea or Chinese long bean (Family:Fabaceae) is most widely grown in Southeast Asia. They are a good source of protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, phosphorus, and potassium. The antioxidant potential of crude methanol extract, chloroform, and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of Vigna sinensiswas screened for invitro antioxidant activity using total phenolic content, ferric reducing power, 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assay, ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) tests. It was found that ethyl acetate fraction have maximum amount of polyphenolics compounds (2.69 mg/g GAE in concentration 0.5 mg/mL); more effective than methanol and chloroform extract.This fraction also exhibited fairly good antioxidant activity with in both TBA (17.39% mg/g GAE) and FTC (12.65% mg/g GAE) methods.
Effects of artificial and natural cirrus clouds on temperatures near the ground

The effects of thin to moderately thick cirrus clouds on daytime air temperature rise or nighttime air temperature fall near the ground can be approximated as linearly proportional to the change in solar heating, or nocturnal radiative cooling, of the surface, produced by the clouds. It is estimated that a uniform overcast of cirrus with a thickness comparable to an average aircraft contrail will reduce daytime heating by 10 to 20% and nighttime cooling by up to 50% compared to the heating and cooling that would have occurred in cloudless conditions.