Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sample Size Determination in a Chi-Squared Test Given Information From an Earlier Study

When an effect size estimate from an earlier study is available, it is common practice to calculate a sample size for a future study by postulating that the true effect size equals the point estimate from the previous study. Such an approach is methodologically flawed because it ignores the presence of uncertainty in the point estimate. In view of the fact that the sample size needed for a specified power does not vary linearly with effect size, the traditional approach typically leads to less power than is desired for the specified effect. A rigorous method of utilizing information from a previous study when determining the sample size for a chi-squared test is outlined. The approach is able to guarantee that the average power of all experiments in a discipline attains the desired level.
The Co-movement of Credit Default Swap Spreads, Stock Market Returns and Volatilities: Evidence from Asia-Pacific Markets

We study the co-movement of credit and equity markets in four Asia-Pacific countries at firm and index level. First, we establish realized volatility as an important determinant of credit default swap (CDS) spread levels and changes. Second, we examine lead-lag relationships between CDS spreads, volatility, and stock returns using a vector-autoregressive model. At the firm level stock returns lead the other variables. However, at the index level volatility and CDS spreads are equally important. Third, we analyze volatility spillovers using the measures proposed by Diebold and Yilmaz (2014). The results suggest that realized volatility is the main contributor to cross-market volatility spillovers.
User-Tailored Privacy by Design

The Path to my Research In my freshman year of high school, a few friends and I came up with a rather interesting idea. We imagined a computer program with access to various controls, whether they be to a game or any other interaction. The system would begin by randomly “pressing buttons”, and the user would tell it whether it was doing well or badly, and it would somehow adjust it behavior accordingly. Based on these vague parameters, I programmed a system that mapped semi-random inputs to several button outputs through mathematical transformations. Though this system wasn’t very scientific, and the idea was somewhat underdeveloped, the program was able to “play” Tetris for a few moments before losing. I was proud of what I had created, but I knew it could be improved. Through my pursuits to improve it, I discovered the vast field of machine learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence interested in “teaching” computers to do things.
Predicting Future Optical Flow from Static Video Frames

Static frames from videos can provide information about the inherent motion in the scene. In particular, given an image of someone performing an action, humans can reasonably guess how pixels in the scene will move in subsequent frames. In this work, we use an unsupervised learning procedure to predict optical flow from static video frames by training an AlexNet convolutional neural network architecture on the HMDB-51 video dataset from scratch. We also train a fully-convolutional architecture which achieves similar performance with over an order-of-magnitude reduction in the number of network parameters. We extend our procedure to generate video predictions in raw pixel space through iterative flow prediction followed by spline interpolation, and suggest methods to improve the quality of our generative video model.
THE EFFECT OF COST EFFICIENCY ON STOCK PERFORMANCE OF LISTED BANK IN INDONESIA

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of cost efficiency on stock performance of listed bank in Indonesia. DEA was employed to measure cost efficiency of each bank, while linear regression used to analyze the effect of cost efficiency on stock performance. Abnormal return was used as proxy of stock performance. Based on the result of study, cost efficiency gave no impact on stock performance. Shareholders tend to observe the company's profits than the cost of the company.
The Competency Attainment Outcomes of 1,913 Juveniles Found Incompetent to Stand Trial

Our study examines the outcomes of remediation services provided to 1,913 juveniles who have been determined to be incompetent to stand trial and ordered into remediation services by the court. These services were offered based upon statutory guidelines legislated in 1999, through a statewide, community-based program maintained by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (VA DBHDS). Recipients of these services were eight through 18-years-old and were predominantly African-American (73%), Caucasian (21%), and Hispanic (3%). Our outcome data indicate that 76% of the youth ordered into remediation services were determined by the court to have been remediated, 19% unlikely to attain competency, and 5% had their charges dismissed. Remediation services were offered within the community and received by the majority of the youth within three months at an estimated cost of $5,000 per juvenile. Rates of remediation differed based upon the age and mental status of the youth receiving services with 7% of youth aged eight to 10 years being remediated compared to 44% of those aged 14 to 16 years of age. Youth with a diagnosis of both intellectual disability and mental disorder were the least likely to be remediated with 51% determined to be unlikely to attain competency and an additional 28% having their charges dismissed. These outcomes are similar to those obtained with incompetent adult defendants, often through costly periods of inpatient hospitalization, raising the question of why states would not provide these due process protections to the most vulnerable youth within the juvenile system.
FlowNet 3 D : Learning Scene Flow in 3 D Point Clouds Supplementary Material

In this document, we provide more details to the main paper and show extra results on model size, running time and feature visualization. In Sec. B we describe details in the FlyingThings3D experiments. In Sec. C, we provide more details on the baseline architectures (main paper Sec. 6.1). In Sec. D we describe how we prepared KITTI LiDAR scans for our evaluations (Sec. 6.2). In Sec. E and Sec. F we explain more details about the experiments for the two applications of scene flow (Sec. 6.3). Lastly in Sec. G we report our model size and run time and in Sec. H we provide more visualization results on FlyingThings3D and network learned features.
Database Tuning Using Oracle Materialized View For Manufacturing Industry

The need to maintain database performance in Silterra Malaysia is crucial as data produced from complex manufacturing processes must be recorded in timely manner for reporting purposes.Query rewriting using Oracle Materialized View (MV) is one form of corrective action adopted by Silterra in order to tune its database,which is usually affected by problematic SQLs.However,whether MVs are useful in most cases of query rewriting is an open problem.In this paper,the flow of SQL query rewriting process using MVs is presented.Steps to identify problematic SQLs and to rewrite them are given based on DBA’s experience in dealing with database performance issue in this industry.The result of using MVs shown using real fabrication data in Silterra reveals that,even though most MVs perform better than queries without MVs,there are cases that require alternative for MVs.
Effect of different fertility treatments , foliage harvesting and irrigation on seed-hardness of annual medic ( Medicago scutellata cv . Robinson ) in a lay farming system in Iran

To study the effect of different treatments on seed-hardness of annual medic (Medicago scutellata cv. Robinson) in lay farming system (Medicago scutellata cv. Robinson & Triticum aestivum L.), this experiments has been conducted in Kermanshah province Iran in 2009 at different fertility systems described as follow; control or without fertilizer (T1), applications of urea (chemical fertilizer) + triple superphosphate fertilizer (T2), urea + phosphate solubilizing bacteria (T3), urea + mycorrhiza fungi (T4), urea + mixture of mycorrhiza fungi and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (T5), nitrogen fixing bacteria + triple superphosphate fertilizer (T6), nitrogen fixing bacteria + phosphorous solubilizing bacteria (T7), nitrogen fixing bacteria + mycorrhiza fungi (T8), nitrogen fixing bacteria + mixture of mycorrhiza fungi and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (T9). Different harvesting management under dryland and irrigation condition in two locations (Dryland Agricultural Research Institute – Sararoud and Soil Fertility Research Station Mahidsht) were also tested. Annual medic seeds harvested after physiological maturity of pods in July and trend of seed hardness breakdown was evaluated by germination tests in August, September, October, November, December, January, February and March through in vitro conditions. Results showed that the effect of production condition and time lapse on seed hardness breakdown was statistically significant and over eight months since after the physiological maturity of seeds; at the end in both stations about 14% of seed hardness was reduced in both station by aboutby about 14 % of seed hardness in both stations. In dryland conditions, control fertility system (T1) and nitrogen fixing bacteria + mixture of mycorrhiza fungi and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (T9) resulted in the high seed hardness. Otherwise, in irrigation condition, the treatment of urea + mixture of mycorrhiza fungi and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (T5) had the maximum seed hardness. Trend of seed hardness breakdown in foliage harvesting and non-foliage harvesting conditions was not equal, and in equal conditions, percentage of seed hardness in nonefoliage harvesting (10.7%) was lower than in foliage harvesting (11.5%). The highest amount of seed hardness breakdown (12.6%) was produced in dry land and foliage harvesting condition.
The Influence of Political Factors on IFRS Adoption

Diversity in accounting system adopted by a country has significant economic consequences for the interpretation of financial reporting at the international level. Based on this reason it is necessary to have an international standardization, the establishment of standards for financial reporting which are common to all countries. In terms of accounting, the application of IFRS is expected to improve the quality of financial reporting is characterized by increased comparability of financial reporting and transparency for its users. The purpose of this study is to analyze the political factors, such as: colonialism, the quality of local regulator, and the international power politics in 13 countries sampled. The units of analysis in this study are the countries which are in Asia and America. The data analysis technique used is hypothesis testing using multiple linear regression test used SPSS 15.0. The result is, collonialism and the quality of local regulators has positively influence the adoption of IFRS while international power politics variable has negatively influence the adoption of IFRS.
1 Enhancing Genetic Algorithms using Multi Mutations : Experimental Results on the Travelling Salesman Problem

Mutation is one of the most important stages of genetic algorithms because of its impact on the exploration of the search space, and in overcoming premature convergence. Since there are many types of mutations one common problem lies in selecting the appropriate type. The decision then becomes more difficult and needs more trial and error to find the best mutation to be used. This paper investigates the use of more than one mutation operator to enhance the performance of genetic algorithms. New mutation operators are proposed, in addition to two election strategies for the mutation operators. One is based on selecting the best mutation operator and the other randomly selects any operator. Several experiments were conducted on the Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) to evaluate the proposed methods. These were compared to the well-known exchange mutation and rearrangement mutation. The results show the importance of some of the proposed methods, in addition to the significant enhancement of the genetic algorithms’ performance, particularly when using more than one mutation operator.
Customisation and Trade-offs in 5 G RAN Slicing

The heterogeneity of the requirements for 5G necessitate a versatile 5G radio access network (RAN); slicing offers a way of realising a flexible RAN through customised virtual subnetworks. In this paper, we focus on how enabling lower layer flexibility in the RAN affects the development of RAN slicing, particularly in relation to ensuring isolation between RAN slices. We first examine how RAN slices may be individually tailored for different services. We follow this up with an examination of the potential time-frequency resource structure of the RAN, focusing on the trade-off between flexibility and the overhead related to ensuring coexistence between contrasting RAN slices. Based on this analysis, we suggest an approach that permits the allocation of resources to a service-type to be performed separately to resource allocation for individual services belonging to that type. Keywords—5G; slicing; RAN; resource allocation
Evaluation of Ghrelin , Insulin and Leptin Levels in Obese Type 2 Diabetic Patients on Metformin or Glimepiride Therapy in Basra , Iraq

Background Recent evidence has demonstrated the complex function of adipose tissue and gastric cells as an endocrine organ through release of hormones into the blood stream and involved in physiological activities of the body; of them is ghrelin. The consequences of insulin resistance manifest at many levels and in many metabolic processes, producing a cluster of homeostatic abnormalities referred to what is called metabolic syndrome. Objectives To evaluate and compare the possible effects of using metformin or glimepiride on serum concentrations of ghrelin, leptin and insulin resistance in obese type 2 diabetic patients in Basra, Iraq. Methods Forty type 2 diabetic obese patients and twenty healthy subjects were studied. The patients were divided into 2 groups (each of 20 patients); group 1 on glimepiride therapy while group 2 on metformin treatment. Blood samples were taken after at least 8 hours fasting for measurement of serum glucose, leptin, ghrelin and insulin. Results Ghrelin levels were significantly lower in the two patient groups with greater significant reduction in metformin group. The highest serum insulin concentration and insulin resistance levels were clearly reported in glimepiride treated group as compared to control and metformin treated group. Leptin levels show no significant differences in all studied groups. Conclusion Metformin treatment associated significantly with improved insulin sensitivity; insulin resistance associated significantly with decreases ghrelin concentration. Ghrelin is negatively correlated with leptin and obesity while positively correlate with insulin resistance. Our data support the role of body weight as the major determinant of circulating leptin levels.
Estuary or Confluence? A Critical Analysis of Anglo-American Governance’s Implementation within an Emerging Economy Context

This paper draws upon a critical framework of theorising, comprising of postcolonialism and neopatrimonialism perspectives, to analyse the state of corporate governance (CG) and transparency within an emerging African economy. Data consists of a combination of twenty-nine semi-structured interviews with key CG stakeholders, together with field observations and archival evidence. We uncover how foreign-originated accounting and CG systems interact with dynamisms of Kenya’s institutional and postcolonial reality, including powerful neopatrimonialism order. These includes ineffective corporate boards, rampant corruption, inadequately-skilled accounting professionals, weak regulatory and enforcement systems and lack of shareholder engagement. We find that implementation of Anglo-American governance and accounting innovations, such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), has done little to improve CG practices within Kenya’s corporate sector. In particular, ‘institutional collision’ is manifested in our findings, where we evidence conflicts between demands of formal structures and vigorous informal institutions, such as corruption and cronyism in board appointments. We argue that it is delusive to assume that Kenya’s capital markets, or those of other similar African countries, can achieve advanced countries status by merely adopting western accounting and CG structures. We conclude by recommending ways of improving CG practices in Kenya, including: re-design of corporate sector regulatory framework to remedy conflicts in regulation, encouraging shareholder activism and adoption of inclusive approach to corporate reporting.
THE ANTINOCICEPTIVE ANTIPYRETIC EFFECTS OF SOLANUM INCANUM ( Linneaus ) IN ANIMAL MODELS

The root of Solanum incanum is used by some Kenyan communities as a folklore remedy for fever, wounds, toothache, and stomach ache. However studies have not been done to validate these claims. The aim of this study was to investigate antinociceptive and antipyretic effects of Solanum incanum root extract using animal models. The antinociceptive assays were carried out using tail flick and hot plate tests on CBA mice. The 100 and 200 mg doses of Solanum incanum root extract showed significant antinociceptive activity (p < 0.05) in both hot plate and tail flick tests. In the antipyretic, assay fever was induced in Sprague Dawley rats using lipopolysacharide (LPS). The 50 mg dose of Solanum incanum extract exhibited significant antipyretic effect (p < 0.05) at 180 minutes while the 100 mg dose of S. incanum exhibited significant antipyretic effect (p < 0.05) at 120 and 180 minutes after the lipopolysaccharide pyrogen injection. The results obtained renders support to folklore use of Solanum incanum root extract for pain and fever.
Comparison of the efficiency of plaster stemming and drill cuttings stemming by numerical simulation

Numerical simulation of the plaster stemming method (PSM) was performed and compared with the conventional drill cuttings stemming method (DCSM). Many earlier in situ tests have proved that PSM can use the blast energy more efficiently than DCSM. Despite PSM generating more blast vibrations, it has advantages over DCSM such as better fragmentation and lower cost per unit volume of rock blasted. In this study, numerical simulation with Autodyn software using a 2D tool was employed to prove the efficiency of plaster stemming by comparing parameters such as pressure, Y-velocity, Y-force, internal energy, acceleration-Y, and compression. For example, the maximum pressure attained at the top of explosive column was 7 395 MPa for DCSM whereas it was as high as 11 945 MPa for PSM. Most of the computed parameters were significantly higher in PSM than those obtained for DCSM. This paper is the first study elucidating the efficiency of PSM by numerical simulation. It is concluded that PSM can save substantial amounts of money and effort.
Supervision Beyond Manual Annotations for Learning Visual Representations

Speaker: Carl Doersch Committee: Abhinav Gupta (Co-chair) Alexei A. Efros (Co-chair) Ruslan Salakhutdinov (University of Toronto) Trevor Darrell (UC Berkeley) Thesis Defense April 15, 2015 1:00pm 1507 NSH For both humans and machines, understanding the visual world requires relating new percepts with past experience. We argue that a good visual representation for an image should encode what makes it similar to other images, enabling the recall of associated experiences. Current machine implementations of visual representations can capture some aspects of similarity, but fall far short of human ability overall. Even if one explicitly labels objects in millions of images to tell the computer what should be considered similar—a very expensive procedure—the labels still do not capture everything that might be relevant. This thesis shows that one can often train a representation which captures similarity beyond what is labeled in a given dataset. That means we can begin with a dataset that has uninteresting labels, or even one without labels, and still build a useful representation. To do this, we propose to using pretext tasks: tasks that are not useful in and of themselves, but serve as an excuse to learn a more general-purpose representation. The labels for a pretext task can be inexpensive or even free. Furthermore, since this approach assumes training labels differ from the desired outputs, it can handle output spaces where the correct answer is ambiguous, and therefore impossible to annotate by hand. The thesis explores two broad classes of supervision. The first is weak image-level supervision, which is exploited to train mid-level discriminative patch classifiers. For example, given a dataset of street-level imagery labeled only with GPS coordinates, patch classifiers are trained to differentiate one specific geographical region (e.g. the city of Paris) from others. The resulting classifiers each automatically collect and associate a set of patches which all depict the same distinctive architectural element. In this way, we can learn to detect elements like balconies, signs, and lamps without annotations. The second type of supervision requires no information about images other than the pixels themselves. Instead, the algorithm is trained to predict the context around image patches. The context serves as a sort of weak label: to predict well, the algorithm must associate similarlooking patches which also have similar contexts. After training, the feature representation learned using this within-image context indeed captures visual similarity across images, which ultimately makes it useful for real tasks like object detection and geometry estimation.
Ultrastructure of the Pyrenoid in the Family Cladophoraceae ( Cladophorales , Chlorophyta )

The pyrenoid structure was examined with TEM in 14 J apanese species belonging to four genera of the family Cladophoraceae. Four types of pyrenoids were recognized; i.e. bilenticular, zonal, simple polypyramidal andcomplex polypyramidal types. The pyrenoid matrix of the bilenticular pyrenoid is traversed by a single thy lakoid band, the matrix being composed of a pair of hemispheres and surrounded by two starch sheaths. The pyrenoid matrix of the zonal type is divided by parallel thylakoid bands, and is surrounded by more than three starch sheaths. The pyrenoid matrix of the simple polypyramidal type is traversed by three or more thylakoid bands, four or more pieces of starch sheaths or grains covering the surface of the pyrenoid matrix. The pyrenoid matrix of the complex polypyramidal type is divided by intrusions of many sinuous thylakoid bands, and is surrounded by many small starch sheaths or grains. Three or four types of pyrenoid were observed in the genera Chaetomorpha, Cladophora and Rhizoclonium.
Cleansing in severe recessions : What can be learned from the 2008 – 2013 Portuguese crisis ?

Under cleansing, productivity-enhancing reallocation is expected to be accelerated in recessions. In this paper we provide evidence that in the extreme scenario of deep recession efficiency in resource reallocation is actually reduced, possibly due to credit market stringency. Using data from the pronounced Portuguese economic crisis, we do find a spike in firm exit in 2008–2012 vis-à-vis the 2004–2007 pre-crisis period, and a substantial increase in job destruction as well. But we did not find any strong evidence that job reallocation is countercyclical, while a non-negligible fraction of highproductivity firms actually shut down. In turn, our selected proxies for strictness in credit markets reveal that in deep recessions they are seemingly associated with increased firm exit and lower employment creation. Taken in round, our results show that credit market stringency in conjunction with an unfavourable economic cycle is likely to generate a long-lasting destructive process.