Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Empirical game theory of pedestrian interaction for autonomous vehicles

Autonomous vehicles (AV’s) are appearing on roads, based on standard robotic mapping and navigation algorithms. However their ability to interact with other road-users is much less well understood. If AVs are programmed to stop every time another road user obstructs them, then other road users simply learn that they can take priority at every interaction, and the AV will make little or no progress. This issue is especially important in the case of a pedestrian crossing the road in front of the AV. The present methods paper expands the sequential chicken model introduced in (Fox et al., 2018), using empirical data to measure behavior of humans in a controlled plus-maze experiment, and showing how such data can be used to infer parameters of the model via a Gaussian Process. This providing a more realistic, empirical understanding of the human factors intelligence required by future autonomous vehicles.
Effect of Breed of Sire on Carcass Traits and Meat Quality of Katahdin Lambs

Crossbred lambs (n = 40) of 137 ± 3 days of age from Katahdin ewes with either Charollais (KCh), Dorper (KD), Suffolk (KS) and Texel (KT) sires were used in this study. The effect of sire breeds on carcass traits, chemical composition of muscle, meat quality and consumer acceptability was determined. Regarding carcass traits, KCh animals had the highest fat thickness. KT lambs had the smallest M. Longissimusdorsi (MLD) area compared tothat of KCh, KD and KS (17.0, 15.9, 15.5 and 13.9 cm 2 ; respectively). Breed of sire had no effect (P>0.05) on the chemical composition, pH or Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) of lamb; however, it did affect meat color. KS lambs had lower L*, a*, b* and Ch* values compared to the other crossbreeds (P≤0.05). Consumer acceptability of lamb was similar (P>0.05) across genotypes.
Optical properties of size fractions of suspended particulate matter in littoral waters of Québec

Mass-specific absorption ( a i ∗ ( λ )) and scattering ( b i ∗ ( λ )) coefficients were derived for four size fractions ( i = 0.2–0.4, 0.4–0.7, 0.7–10, and > 10 µm, λ = wavelength in nm) of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and with samples obtained from surface waters (i.e., 0–2 m depth) of the Saint Lawrence Estuary and Saguenay Fjord (SLE-SF) during June of 2013. For the visible–near-infrared spectral range (i.e., λ = 400–710 nm), mass-specific absorption coefficients of total SPM (i.e., particulates > 0.2 µm) (hereafter a SPM ∗ ) had low values (e.g., 2 g −1 at λ = 440 nm) in areas of the lower estuary dominated by particle assemblages with relatively large mean grain size and high particulate organic carbon and chlorophyll a per unit of mass of SPM. Conversely, largest a SPM ∗ values (i.e., > 0.05 m 2 g −1 at λ = 440 nm) corresponded with locations of the upper estuary and SF where particulates were mineral-rich and/or their mean diameter was relatively small. The variability of two optical proxies (the spectral slope of particulate beam attenuation coefficient and the mass-specific particulate absorption coefficient, hereafter γ and Svis, respectively) with respect to changes in particle size distribution (PSD) and chemical composition was also examined. The slope of the PSD was correlated with b i ∗ (550) (Spearman rank correlation coefficient ρ s up to 0.37) and a i ∗ (440) estimates ( ρ s up to 0.32) in a comparable way. Conversely, the contribution of particulate inorganic matter to total mass of SPM ( F SPM PIM ) had a stronger correlation with a i ∗ coefficients at a wavelength of 440 nm ( ρ s up to 0.50). The magnitude of γ was positively related to F SPM i or the contribution of size fraction i to the total mass of SPM ( ρ s up to 0.53 for i = 0.2–0.4 µm). Also, the relation between γ and F SPM PIM variability was secondary ( ρ s = −0.34, P > 0.05). Lastly, the magnitude of Svis was inversely correlated with a SPM ∗ (440) ( ρ s = −0.55, P = 0.04) and F SPM PIM ( ρ s = −0.62, P = 0.018) in sampling locations with a larger marine influence (i.e., lower estuary).
PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND HPLC ANA LYSIS OF FLAVONOID FROM METHA NOLIC EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF ANNONA SQUAMOSA

The present paper deals with the phy tochemical screening of therapeutic i mportance from Annona squamosa leaves, an important medicinal plant. This study involves the preliminary scree ning, qualitative thin layer chromatographic separation of secondary metab olites from leaves of A. squamosa . Further, HPLC Flavonoids profile of t he methanolic extract had been studied. The generated data has provided the basis fo r its wide uses as the therapeutant in the traditional and folk medicines.
A Generalized View on Continuum Regression

ABSTRACT. We generalize the relationship between continuum regression (Stone & Brooks, 1990) and ridge regression, by showing that any optimization principle will yield a regressor proportional to a ridge regressor, provided only that the principle implies maximizing a function of the regressor’s sample correlation coefficient and its sample variance. This relationship shows that continuum regression as defined via ridge regression (“least squares ridge regression”) is a more generally valid methodology than previously realized, and also opens up for alternative choices of its second and subsequent factors.
Search for Scutellonema bradys resistance in yams ( Dioscorea spp. )

A study to examine variability in susceptibility of yams to Scutellonema bradys and to identify possible sources of resistance in Ghanaian yam germplasm (Dioscorea spp.) for use in yam improvement programmes, particularly, in West Africa was undertaken. Pot and field screening methodologies were used. In general, S. bradys and dry rot of tuber symptoms as well as tuber cracking increased during the storage period. The study showed a positive correlation between visual nematode damage and population densities in yam tubers. There was also a linear relationship between dry rot disease and tuber cracking at harvest and during storage. This confirms that S. bradys causes dry rot of tubers resulting in external cracking of yam tubers. Positive linear relationship was also observed between yam tuber weight loss and dry rot disease indicating that dry rot disease may have contributed to the tuber weight loss. Therefore, tuber dry rot symptoms caused by S. bradys of yams could be used to discard susceptible yams at harvest and after a period of storage. However, there was no linear relationship between nematode population densities in yam tubers and roots, therefore, a root protocol cannot be used for assessing resistance in yams as it could lead to misclassification. The yam germplasm screened, reaffirmed resistance to S. bradys in Dioscorea dumetorum var. Nkanfo and D. cayenensis var. Afun.
Growth, carcass composition and meat quality response to dietary concentrations in fast-, medium- and slow-growing commercial broilers

Growth, carcass composition and certain meat quality traits were studied in fast (F), me- dium (M) and slow (S) growing broilers fed with 3 regimes appropriate for each chicken type and dif- fering on average by 418 kJ·kg -1 AMEn and 1% crude protein (P1 > P2 > P3). No significant interactions between chicken types and feed were measured before 3 weeks and after 6 weeks of age, indicating that the 3 genotypes had similar responses to the 3 diets during these periods. Before 3 weeks of age, body weight was 5% higher for P1 compared to P2 and P2 compared to P3 fed chick- ens for a comparable feed intake. After 6 weeks of age, a 10% reduction in feed intake occurred in P3 compared to P1 and P1 compared to P2 fed chickens for similar body weight gains. The differing re- sponses after 6 weeks of age might be linked to high heat stress that occurred at 7 weeks of age. Be- tween 3 and 6 weeks of age, interactions between chicken type and dietary concentration on feed intake, body weight gain characterised an "after 6 weeks of age" response for F-chickens whereas M- and S-chickens had a "before 3 weeks of age" response. These interactions might be explained by a higher sensitivity of fast-growing chickens to environmental conditions. For chickens slaughtered at market age (F = 6, M = 8 and S = 12 weeks of age), higher breast meat yield (Pectoralis major + mi- nor) and lower abdominal fat content were observed in the F-chickens (17.2% and 2.64%, respec- tively) compared to the M- (15.7% and 2.86%, respectively) and S-chickens (14.4% and 3.44%, re- spectively; P< 0.05). Breast meat was more coloured in the S-chickens with lower L* and higher b* and a* 72 hours after slaughter than in the M- and F-chickens ( P< 0.05). Dietary concentration had no significant effect on carcass composition, ultimate pH or drip loss of breast meat. Our results sug- gest that changes in dietary concentration alter growth performance but have little effect on carcass composition and meat quality traits.
Genetic Diversity within Chemokine Receptor 5 ( CCR 5

The chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) serves as a co-receptor for the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) that facilitates viral entry into cells. Individuals who are homozygous for a 32 bp deletion of the CCR5 gene are resistant to infection, while for heterozygote carriers their HIV disease progression is delayed. To understand the variable HIV-1 disease course that still exists among rare carriers of this deletion, studies have focused on polymorphisms of the CCR5 gene. Nine different CCR5 human haplotypes (HH) were defined as HHA, HHB, HHC, HHD, HHE, (HHF*1 and HHF*2), and (HHG*1 and HHG*2). Less is known about the effect of these polymorphisms during combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) as the influence of the CCR5 haplotypes on the treatment outcome was not studied extensively. We have reported four novel indels and two new polymorphisms from one ethnic adult Omani population in the 5′UTR of the CCR5 gene. Genetic diversity of the CCR5 haplotypes among acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients receiving cART and healthy people is discussed. Our results demonstrated the importance of genetic diversity in the CCR5 gene and clearly indicate the importance of understanding the pattern of genetic diversity and its implications for better understanding AIDS.
Characterisation of R.F. magnetron sputtered Cr-N, Cr-Zr-N and Zr-N coatings

Binary Cr-N, Zr-N and Cr-Zr-N films were synthesised using a R.F. reactive magnetron sputtering technique by co-sputtering Cr and Zr. The crystalline structure, morphology, mechanical and tribological properties of the films as a function of Zr content were characterised by X-ray diffraction, microanalysis X (WDS, EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, nanoindentation, scratch adhesion and pin-on-disc sliding wear tests. The residual stress was calculated with the Stoney formula. The Cr-Zr-N films exhibit a two-phase microstructure, containing a cubic (CrN, ZrN) with hexagonal (Cr2N, Zr2N) phases, as shown by X-ray diffraction. As the Zr content increased, a columnar and compact structure is developed with a low surface roughness. The results reveal that the mechanical and tribological properties of the films were found to depend on the Zr content and the hardness (maximum 26.3 GPa) is greatly improved in comparison with CrN and ZrN films, especially at 31 at. -% Zr. In the scratch test, the hardest film (Cr0.18Zr0.31N0.47) exhibited an adhesive failure at Lc2 = 34.3 N.
The Introduction of Price Signals into Land Use Planning Decision-making: A Proposal

Although directed to the British system of town and country planning this paper has relevance for many OECD countries, including some with systems of land use regulation which evolved entirely independently of the British. The paper starts by characterising the basic features of the British land use planning system, viewed from the resource allocation point of view of an economist. A conclusion is that the system explicitly excludes any use of price signals from its decisions. The paper then summarises the problems to which the exclusion of price information has given rise. Because the UK planning system has deliberately constrained the supply of space, and space is an attribute of housing which is income elastic in demand, rising incomes not only drive rising real house prices but also mean that land prices have risen considerably faster than house prices. Several housing attributes other than garden space are to a degree substitutes for land but the underlying cause of the inelastic supply of housing in the UK is the constraint on land supply. The final section proposes a mechanism which would make use of the information embodied in the price premiums of neighbouring parcels of land zoned for different uses. Such premiums signal the relative scarcity of land for different uses at each location and should become a 'material consideration' in planning decision-making. If they were above some threshold, this should provide a presumption of development unless maintaining the land in its current use could be shown to be in the public interest. If combined with impact fees, such a change would not only make housing supply more elastic and the system more transparent, but would help to distance land availability decisions from the political process.
Evalu ti f the Effect of Additive Metformin to Progesterone on Patients with Endometrial Hyperplasia

Background and Objectives: Endometrial hyperplasia (EH) is an abnormal overgrowth of endometrium that may lead to endometrial cancer, especially when accompanied by atypia. The treatment of EH is challenging, and previous studies report conflicting results. Metformin (dimethyl biguanide) is an anti-diabetic and insulin sensitizer agent, which is supposed to have antiproliferative and anticancer effects and the potential to decrease cell growth in endometrium. While some studies have evaluated the anticancer effect of metformin, studies on its potential effect on endometrial hyperplasia are rare. To address this gap, in this comparative trial study, we evaluate the effect of additive metformin to progesterone in patients with EH. Methods: In this clinical trial, 64 women with EH were randomized in two groups. The progesterone-alone group received progesterone 20 mg daily (14 days/month, from the 14th menstrual day) based on the type of hyperplasia, and the progesterone-metformin group received metformin 1000 mg/day for 3 months in addition to progesterone. Duration of bleeding, hyperplasia, body mass index (BMI), and blood sugar (BS) of the patients were then compared between the two groups. Findings: NA mean age of 44.5 years, mean BMI of 29 kg/m2 and mean duration of bleeding of 8 days were calculated for the study sample. There was no significant difference in age, BMI, gravidity, bleeding duration, and duration of disease at baseline between the two groups. While all patients in the progesterone-metformin group showed bleeding and hyperplasia improvement, only 69% of the progesterone-alone patients showed such an improvement, with the difference between the two groups being significant (P = 0.001). Although the difference between two groups in the post treatment endometrial thickness was not significant (P = 0.55), post treatment BMI in the progesterone-metformin group was significantly lower than in the progesterone-alone group (P = 0.01). In additi n, the BS reduction in the progesterone-metformin group was significantly larger than that in the progesterone-alone group (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicated that administration of progesterone 20 mg/day plus metformin 1000 mg/day can significantly decrease bleeding duration, hyperplasia, BMI and BS in women with EH.
Coherent x-ray imaging of defects in colloidal crystals

Coherent x-ray diffractive imaging CXDI was applied to reveal the structure of colloidal crystals. The colloidal sample was illuminated by a coherent x-ray beam through a 7 m pinhole aperture. The resulting diffraction patterns contain several Bragg peaks and an additional interference structure between the peaks due to the coherent illumination of a finite part of the sample. The inversion of these diffraction patterns reveals the arrangement of colloidal particles in a face-centered cubic fcc lattice as well as defects in the form of stacking faults in the 111 planes.
A study on ELT students’ cultural awareness and attitudes towards incorporation of target culture into language instruction

Culture and language are inseparable from each other as both in combination reflect shared cultural properties such as values, behaviours, and attitude inherent in the society we live and in language patterns we use. In this respect, it is highly valuable to integrate cultural elements into language education for intercultural understanding and welcoming different cultures. The aim of this research was to explore the attitudes of Turkish university students at English Language Teaching (ELT) Department towards culture and its integration into language teaching and their cultural awareness and to reveal if birthplace, gender, experience abroad and high school graduated had any influence on their attitudes. Data were collected from 96 participants through a questionnaire consisting of three parts (i.e. demographic information, multiple-choice questions, and 5-point Likert-type scale). For data analysis, descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage and means) and one-way ANOVA were conducted via SPSS and open-ended items were qualitatively analyzed. Overall, findings of the study yielded positive attitudes of significant numbers of ELT students towards culture and its incorporation in language teaching regardless of their birthplace, type of high school, and experience abroad. As for gender, female students had more positive attitudes towards culture than males. Additionally, participants were found to learn culture mainly to develop their cultural awareness and maintain better communication with people from different cultures. In the light of findings, necessary implications were provided for teachers and teacher educators regarding raising cultural awareness of students and developing positive attitudes towards incorporation of target culture into language instruction.
Reactive bromine in the low troposphere of Antarctica: estimations at two research sites

Abstract. For decades, reactive halogen species (RHSs) have been the subject of detailed scientific research due to their influence on the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere and on the climate. From the RHSs, those containing bromine are of particular interest in the polar troposphere as a result of their link to ozone-depletion events (ODEs) and to the perturbation of the cycle of toxic mercury, for example. Given its remoteness and related limited accessibility compared to the Arctic region, the RHSs in the Antarctic troposphere are still poorly characterized. This work presents ground-based observations of tropospheric BrO from two different Antarctic locations: Marambio Base (64∘13′ S, 56∘37′ W) and Belgrano II Base (77∘52′ S, 34∘7′ W) during the sunlit period of 2015. By means of MAX-DOAS (Multi-axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) measurements of BrO performed from the two research sites, the seasonal variation in this reactive trace gas is described along with its vertical and geographical distribution in the Antarctic environment. Results show an overall vertical profile of BrO mixing ratio decreasing with altitude, with a median value of 1.6 pmol mol−1 in the lowest layers of the troposphere. Additionally, observations show that the polar sunrise triggers a geographical heterogeneous increase in bromine content in the Antarctic troposphere yielding a maximum BrO at Marambio (26 pmol mol−1), amounting to 3-fold the values observed at Belgrano at dawn. Data presented herein are combined with previous studies and ancillary data to update and expand our knowledge of the geographical and vertical distribution of BrO in the Antarctic troposphere, revealing Marambio as one of the locations with the highest BrO reported so far in Antarctica. Furthermore, the observations gathered during 2015 serve as a proxy to investigate the budget of reactive bromine (BrOx = Br + BrO) and the bromine-mediated ozone loss rate in the Antarctic troposphere.
Effect of Airfoil Aerodynamic Loading on Trailing Edge Noise Sources

A previous experimental investigation of the broadband self noise radiated by an industrial cambered controlled-diffusion airfoil embedded in an homogeneous flow at low Mach number has been extended to various aerodynamic loadings. The instrumented airfoil is placed at the exit of an open-jet anechoic wind tunnel, with a jet width of about four chord lengths. Sound is measured in the far field at the same time as the statistical properties of the wall-pressure fluctuations close to the trailing edge. A new set of mean wall-pressure data has been collected on this airfoil at a chord Reynolds number of 2.9 x 105, which provides some insight on the Reynolds-number effect. Two previously investigated flow regimes with different statistical behaviors are investigated by changing the angle of attack from 8 to 15 deg. They respectively correspond to the nearly separated boundary layer with vortex shedding at the trailing edge and to the turbulent boundary layer initiated by a leading-edge separation.
The Impact of Mesoscale Environmental Uncertainty on the Prediction of a Tornadic Supercell Storm Using Ensemble Data Assimilation Approach

Numerical experiments over the past years indicate that incorporating environmental variability is crucial for successful very short-range convective-scale forecasts. To explore the impact of model physics on the creation of environmental variability and its uncertainty, combined mesoscale-convective scale data assimilation experiments are conducted for a tornadic supercell storm. Two 36-member WRF-ARW model-based mesoscale EAKF experiments are conducted to provide background environments using either fixed or multiple physics schemes across the ensemble members. Two 36-member convective-scale ensembles are initialized using background fields from either fixed physics or multiple physics mesoscale ensemble analyses. Radar observations from four operational WSR-88Ds are assimilated into convective-scale ensembles using ARPS model-based 3DVAR system and ensemble forecasts are launched. Results show that the ensemble with background fields from multiple physics ensemble provides more realistic forecasts of significant tornado parameter, dryline structure, and near surface variables than ensemble from fixed physics background fields. The probabilities of strong low-level updraft helicity from multiple physics ensemble correlate better with observed tornado and rotation tracks than probabilities from fixed physics ensemble. This suggests that incorporating physics diversity across the ensemble can be important to successful probabilistic convective-scale forecast of supercell thunderstorms, which is the main goal of NOAA’s Warn-on-Forecast initiative.