Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF STRONG MOTION DATA OF THE UTTARKASHI EARTHQUAKE OF 20TH OCTOBER 1991 AND THE CHAMOLI EARTHQUAKE OF 28TH MARCH 1999 FOR DETERMINING THE Q VALUE AND SOURCE PARAMETERS

Analysis is presented in this paper to fit the theoretical S-wave acceleration spectra conditioned by frequency-independent Q with the observed acceleration spectra. The estimate of error is given in the root-mean-square sense over all the frequencies. The data of two major earthquakes in the Garhwal Himalayas, namely the 1991 Uttarkashi Earthquake and the 1999 Chamoli Earthquake, has been used in the present study to obtain source parameters of these earthquakes and Q value in the source region. Independent estimates of Q at various stations give its average value as 267±87. The stress drop for the Uttarkashi and the Chamoli earthquakes is computed as 77 and 29 bars, respectively, from the near-field acceleration spectra of BHAT and GOPE stations. This agrees with the other observed values of stress drop in the Himalayas.
A Monte Carlo-Adjusted Goodness-of-Fit Test for Parametric Models Describing Spatial Point Patterns

Assessing the goodness-of-fit (GOF) for intricate parametric spatial point process models is important for many application fields. When the probability density of the statistic of the GOF test is intractable, a commonly used procedure is the Monte Carlo GOF test. Additionally, if the data comprise a single dataset, a popular version of the test plugs a parameter estimate in the hypothesized parametric model to generate data for the Monte Carlo GOF test. In this case, the test is invalid because the resulting empirical level does not reach the nominal level. In this article, we propose a method consisting of nested Monte Carlo simulations which has the following advantages: the bias of the resulting empirical level of the test is eliminated, hence the empirical levels can always reach the nominal level, and information about inhomogeneity of the data can be provided. We theoretically justify our testing procedure using Taylor expansions and demonstrate that it is correctly sized through various simulation studies. In our first data application, we discover, in agreement with Illian et al., that Phlebocarya filifolia plants near Perth, Australia, can follow a homogeneous Poisson clustered process that provides insight into the propagation mechanism of these plants. In our second data application, we find, in contrast to Diggle, that a pairwise interaction model provides a good fit to the micro-anatomy data of amacrine cells designed for analyzing the developmental growth of immature retina cells in rabbits. This article has supplementary material online.
Arm’s Length Method for Comparing Rating Scales

Investors are being encouraged after the global crisis to reduce their dependence on the largest credit rating agencies for risk assessments of companies and securities. Comparing risk assessments from different sources rapidly becomes non-trivial when more than three credit rating agencies are involved. We propose a method for comparing rating scales, and hence constructing correspondence diagrams and tables, thereby treating the rating scales used by different agencies as objects of study. Scales are compared by looking at sets of ratings assigned to similar entities (hereinafter banks) with the assumption that the risk being measured by each credit rating agency is the same for a given rated entity at a given point in time. Studying international bank ratings for a five-year period shows that there are subtle differences for the largest credit rating agencies. A mechanism for constructing mappings between scales could lead to more competition with new credit rating agencies.
Assessment of the accuracy of the precis-regional climate model in simulating climate extremes over equatorial east Africa

This study aimed at assessing the performance of the PRECIS (Providing Regional Climate for Impact Studies) regional climate model (RCM) in simulating the extreme climate events in the equatorial East Africa region. The data used included daily simulations obtained from the PRECIS model daily runs carried out at ICPAC (IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre). Quality-controlled daily station observed maximum and minimum temperature together with daily rainfall totals for 13 unevenly distributed stations over the region were used. Identification of trends of extremes in observed rainfall and temperature records was achieved through graphical analysis, regression analysis and Mann Kendall non parametric test. Evaluation of the skill of the PRECIS regional climate model in simulating the past and present regional rainfall and temperature extremes was achieved using graphical analysis, correlation analysis, and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) analysis; the PRECIS model was used to project future trends of rainfall and temperature extremes over equatorial East Africa. Analysis of trend of the past and present patterns of rainfall and temperature extremes over equatorial East Africa showed that observed trends of maximum temperature extremes have significantly increased leading to hotter days and warmer nights. There has been a decrease in cooler days and colder nights. Decreasing trends in observed extremes generated from minimum temperature data were identified. Precipitation extremes generally showed a decrease in annual rainfall totals. Results from correlation analysis, and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) analysis indicated relatively low skill of PRECIS in simulating regional climate extremes, especially for precipitation extremes. The graphical methods, however, showed that the PRECIS model was by and large able to represent the peaks of temperature and rainfall extremes. There were, however.
On the eigenvalues of quaternion matrices

This article is a continuation of the article [F. Zhang, Geršgorin type theorems for quaternionic matrices, Linear Algebra Appl. 424 (2007), pp. 139–153] on the study of the eigenvalues of quaternion matrices. Profound differences in the eigenvalue problems for complex and quaternion matrices are discussed. We show that Brauer's theorem for the inclusion of the eigenvalues of complex matrices cannot be extended to the right eigenvalues of quaternion matrices. We also provide necessary and sufficient conditions for a complex square matrix to have infinitely many left eigenvalues, and analyse the roots of the characteristic polynomials for 2 × 2 matrices. We establish a characterisation for the set of left eigenvalues to intersect or be part of the boundary of the quaternion balls of Geršgorin.
QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER FROM UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA MEDICAL CENTRE, MALAYSIA

Introduction : The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer survivors based on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods : A cross-sectional study was performed on 125 breast cancer survivors from the outpatient clinics. FACT-B (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast) questionnaire was used to assess survivors’ QOL. Results : Survivors with low body mass index (BMI) (underweight) were found to have the lowest overall QOL. Those who were overweight had a higher overall QOL, and those who were normal-weight had the highest QOL. Low educational level, being underweight and low monthly household income were significantly associated with lower overall QOL Tamoxifen use and employment status were significantly associated with QOL in some domains. Time since diagnosis to QOL interview was significantly associated with greater scores in emotional well-being (EWB). Multiple linear regression indicated that age, marital status, monthly household income, surgery and histological grade were indicative of the patients QOL. Conclusion : The four primary factors related to better QOL were high educational level, high income, normal body weight and greater duration from the time of diagnosis to the time of interview. Age, marital status, income, lumpectomy and histological grade were indicative of the patient QOL.
QUANTITATIVE FINANCE RESEARCH CENTRE

This paper examines a simple basis risk model based on correlated geometric Brownian motions. We apply quadratic criteria to minimize basis risk and hedge in an optimal manner. Initially, we derive the Föllmer-Schweizer decomposition of a European claim. This allows pricing and hedging under the minimal martingale measure, corresponding to the local risk-minimizing strategy. Furthermore, since the mean-variance tradeoff process is deterministic in our setup, the minimal martingaleand variance-optimal martingale measures coincide. Consequently, the mean-variance optimal strategy is easily constructed. Simple closed-form pricing and hedging formulae for put and call options are derived. Due to market incompleteness, these formulae depend on the drift parameters of the processes. By making a further equilibrium assumption, we derive an approximate hedging formula, which does not require knowledge of these parameters. The hedging strategies are tested using Monte Carlo experiments, and are compared with recent results achieved using a utility maximization approach.
Co-evolution of nuptial gift and female multiple mating resulting in diverse breeding systems

To show how diverse breeding systems, including polyandry, evolve in insects, I present a model of co-evolution between nuptial gift size and female multiple mating. I assume that males and females determine their strategy (amount of nuptial gift and frequency of mating, respectively) according to the strategy adopted by the other sex. The model demonstrates that co-evolution leads to diverse breeding systems: systems with both nuptial gift and female multiple mating, systems with nuptial gift only and systems with neither nuptial gift nor female multiple mating. The equilibrium breeding system is determined based on the sex ratio, efficiency of nuptial gift on the improvement of offspring survivorship, cost of nuptial gift production and cost of additional mating.
Interest Rate Smoothing and In fl ation-Output Variability in a Small Open Economy ∗

This paper is concerned with the relationship between the interest rate smoothing behavior of a central bank and the variability of inflation and output. The issue is analyzed through the lens of a small open economy dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with nontraded goods price rigidities and habit persistence. The benchmark model is calibrated to match certain key business cycle features of a small open economy like Australia. Relative to the benchmark model, experiments on a Taylor rule with interest rate smoothing are conducted. Due to the existence of a short run expectational Phillips curve in the model, monetary policy will imply certain trade-offs between inflation and output variance, under sensible parameter values of the model. More importantly, in a world where there exists such a trade-off, greater interest rate smoothing in the Taylor rule can potentially yield lower sacrifices in terms of output variability in return for lower inflation, thus increasing policy effectiveness. JEL Classification: E32; E44; E52; F41
Comparison of Self-Regulation Strategies in Elite Basketball Players Based on Personality Types

Introduction: Nowadays, identification of factors related to success of athletes is considered as one of the important issues in psychology of sport. Self-regulation is one of these factors investigated recently. The aim of this study is to compare self-regulation strategies of Iranian basketball players based on their personality types. Method: subjects of this study were male basketball players of Iranian super league in 2013-2014, which 118 of them were selected as sample of study, based on Morgan sample size table. Miller and Brown’s Self-Regulation Questionnaire and Eysenck personality were used in this study. Since the number of introverts was low, they were excluded in the present study. In addition, sample of study was divided into two groups of stable extroverts and unstable extroverts, based on Eysenck personality. Results: results indicated that there was significant difference between two groups. Results also showed that each of these groups use various strategies to self-regulation. Conclusion: considering personality types, individuals can use various strategies for self-regulation that this issue can play role in achieving their goals and successes.
Electrical and optical numerical modeling of DP-PPV based polymer light emitting diode

In this paper, an in-depth study of the electrical and optical characteristics of Polymer Light Emitting Diodes ITO/PEDOT: PSS/DP-PPV derivatives/Al(Ca) is presented. Three polymer materials are considered; poly(2,3-diphenyl-5-(4-heptyloxy-4'-oxytrimethylenediphenyl)-phenylenevinylene) (P1), poly(2,3-diphenyl-5-[4-(4-pentylcyclohexyl)phenoxy]-propyl-p-phenylene vinylene) (P2) and poly(2,3-diphenyl-5-(2-(1, 4, 5-triphenyl-1H-2-imidazoloyl)-1-oxytrimethylene phenyl) phenylene vinylene) (P3). The J-V characteristics are investigated using a device model which includes the injection, transport, and recombination mechanisms. The electron and hole mobility of each material are fitted to experimental data. The charge balance factor CBF, the external quantum efficiency EQE, the Langevin recombination rates and the singlet exciton densities profiles are studied. The results are found to be in a good agreement with experimental data, indicating that these PLEDs electrons mobility affects greatly the J-V characteristics compared with holes mobility, and that is because the electrons band offset smaller than that of holes. The best performance is obtained with P1 device with a CBF value of almost unity and an EQE still low (4.7 %) but similar to other PPVs and MEH-PPVs based devices.
Purification and characterization of extracellular acidophilic α-amylase from Bacillus cereus MTCC 10205 isolated from soil

Amylase from Bacillus cereus MTCC 10205 was purified 20.41 with 11.82% recovery by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography through Sephadex G-100 and ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose. The final enzyme preparation was pure to near homogeneity as judged by native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The enzyme had a molecular weight of 55 kDa as determined by gel filtration and a single band of 55 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polycrylamide gel electrophoresis showing it to be a monomer. The purified enzyme had temperature optima of 55°C and pH optima of 5.5. The enzyme retained 72% of its original activity after 90 min of incubation and exhibited gradual loss in activity when incubated at higher temperature. At 60°C after 90 min of incubation, the enzyme was completely inactive. The enzyme appeared to be quite stable at 4°C as it could be stored upto five days with 10% loss in activity, whereas at 35°C, the enzyme lost 28% of its activity just after three days of storage. Inhibition studies revealed SH groups to be involved at the active site of the enzyme.
AN INVESTIGATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF SIMULATION IN DEVELOPING ORAL SKILLS: A CASE STUDY

One of the foremost challenges that confront English language teachers is the use of innovative and practical teaching techniques to make their students learn effectively and efficiently. Much research has offered deep insights into the fact that the power of simulation can transpose the normal classroom into an authentic setting where language skills can be taught under more realistic conditions. The rationale and purpose behind this research study was to implement this modern technique of simulation in English language teaching to freshman students of pharmacy. The sample of this study comprised of the whole population of freshman pharmacy students at Taif University. The experimental group was taught by using integrated simulation activities in their English language classes. The control group was taught without this innovation. The pre-intervention and post-intervention scores have been analyzed that have clearly reported that the experimental group out-performed the control group in their oral communication. But the results of both the groups in their listening skills quizzes have not showed significant differences. The research suggests that ELT faculty members should use this innovative teaching technique especially in their oral communication classes.
Handing Out Guns at a Knife Fight: Behavioral Limitations of Subgame-Perfect Implementation

The assumption that payoff-relevant information is observable but not verifiable is important for many core results in contract, organizational and institutional economics. However, subgame-perfect implementation (SPI) mechanisms - which are based on off-equilibrium arbitration clauses that impose fines for lying and the inappropriate use of arbitration - can be used to render payoff-relevant observable information verifiable. Thus, if SPI mechanisms work as predicted they undermine the foundations of important economic results based on the observable but non-verifiable assumption. Empirical evidence on the effectiveness of SPI mechanisms is, however, scarce. In this paper we show experimentally that SPI mechanisms have severe behavioral limitations. They induce retaliation against legitimate uses of arbitration and thus make the parties reluctant to trigger arbitration. The inconsistent use of arbitration eliminates the incentives to take first-best actions and leads to costly disagreements such that individuals - if given the choice - opt out of the mechanism in the majority of the cases. Incentive compatible redesigns of the mechanism solve some of these problems but generate new ones such that the overall performance of the redesigned mechanisms remains low. Our results indicate that there is little hope for SPI mechanisms to solve verifiability problems unless they are made retaliation-proof and, more generally, robust to other-regarding preferences.
Performance and Survival of Ugandan Manufacturing firms in the context of the East African Community

Using the most recent enterprise survey data of the World Bank(2006), this paper investigates the factors influencing firm performance and survival after the promulgation of the East African Community (EAC). The major findings of the paper include: (i)The EAC has adversely affected the survival of small and young firms; (ii) large manufacturing firms are consolidating their position in the EAC market by exploring the increased market size and information technology to increase their output and value added per worker; (iii) Exporters, especially to the advanced markets, have a higher chance of survival compared to the non-exporters. It was also evident that firm size, age, ownership, and business experience of the manager do significantly influence the firm’s performance. Government policies should aim at improving the macroeconomic environment in which manufacturing firms operate so as to reap the benefits of the EAC and increase the chances of firm survival. Specifically, there is need for government policy to create more industrial parks, solve the problem of electricity power outages, and encourage the penetration of information technology across the country.
Preference reversals in judgment and choice : the prominence effect

According to normative decision theory there exists a principle of procedure invariance which states that a decision maker's preference order should remain the same, independently of which response mode is used. For example, the decision maker should express the same preference independently of whether he or she has to judge or decide. Nevertheless, previous research in behavioral decision making has suggested that judgments and choices yield different preference orders in both the risky and the riskless domain. In the latter, the prominence effect has been demonstrated. The main purpose of the present series of experiments was to test cognitive explanations which account for the prominence effect. One of the explanations provided a psychological account based primarily on decision-strategy compatibility. Two other explanations built on information structuring approaches. In the first one, the general idea was that decision makers differentiate between alternatives by value and belief restructuring. In the second approach, violations of invariance were assumed to be attributed to the information structure of the task which in many cases demand problem simplification. A prominence effect was in most experiments found for both choices and preference ratings. This finding spoke against the strategy compatibility explanation. Instead, the different forms of cognitive restructuring provided a better account. However, none of these provided a single explanation. Yet, the structure compatibility explanation appeared to be the more viable one, in particular of the relation between experimental manipulations and response mode outcomes. The predictions of the value-belief restructuring explanation, on the other hand, seemed to be more valid for the prominence effect found in choice than for preference ratings.
Towards Web Accessibility Guidelines of Interaction and Interface Design for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

In this paper, we describe a proposal set of Web accessibility guidelines of interaction and interface design for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to help Web professionals to design accessible Web interfaces for these users. The guidelines were extracted from an exploratory bibliographic survey of 17 works published between 2005 and 2015 including international recommendations, commercial or academic software and peer-reviewed papers. We identified 107 guidelines that were grouped in 10 categories using the affinity diagram technique. Then, we systematized the guidelines in each group according to similarities and duplicated statements, generating a set of 28 guidelines. As a result, we evidenced best practices to design accessible Web interfaces for people with ASD based on well succeeded solutions presented in works of different contexts. With those results, we aim to contribute to the state of the art of cognitive Web accessibility. Therefore, we intend to make the set of guidelines available in a repository on GitHub. KeywordsWeb Accessibility; Autism; Guidelines; Universal Access; Interface Design for People with Autism.
Mechanical and Crash Performance of Unidirectional Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fibre-reinforced Polypropylene Composite

The mechanical properties of unidirectional oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibre / polypropylene (PP) composites were analysed. The composites were fabricated with unidirectional fibre orientations of 0°, 45°, and 90°, with mass fractions of 25%, 35%, and 45% for each fibre orientation angle. The composites were then subjected to tensile, flexural, and impact testing. Superior tensile, flexural, and impact strengths were observed for the unidirectional composites with 0° fibre orientation angle. A fibre loading of 35% provided the highest tensile strength, while fibre loadings of 25% and 45% yielded the greatest flexural and impact resistances, respectively. The crash performance of the unidirectional composite subjected to low-velocity impact in the automotive bumper fascia was investigated. The composite exhibited significantly improved energy absorption capability and comparable specific energy absorption when compared with the current material being used for the bumper fascia.
Dependence of resistance drift on the amorphous cap size in phase change memory arrays

Multilevel programming in phase change memories (PCMs) requires understanding of the phenomena which affect the stability of the programmed resistance levels. Although the Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST alloy) crystallization process has been extensively studied, further analysis is needed to characterize the drift of low-field amorphous-GST resistance. In this paper, we carry out a statistical analysis on an array of PCM cells so as to investigate the drift dynamics of intermediate GST resistance states. Our experimental results reveal the dependence of the drift dynamics exponent on the thickness of the amorphous cap inside the GST layer, which is ascribed to the different stresses.