Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stock Market Dynamics in Pakistan: What Do Political Events and Budget Announcements Disclose?

The purpose of this study is to capture Pakistani stock market dynamics in response to political -and budget events. The study of political events and budget announcements together is quite reasonable in that: swift transformations of governments are likely to change annual budget policies, so both political -and budget events go side by side and influence the stock market performance. Moreover, we want to check: whether budget is one possible channel to off- set or somehow reduce the damage occurred due to political instability? We employ event study methodology over the sample period 1998-2016 of KSE-100 index daily returns to test the investor’s reaction to political -and budget news and, investigated whether stock market behaviour is consistent with efficient market hypothesis or over-and underreaction hypothesis or uncertain information hypothesis. We find evidence that Pakistani stock market exhibits weak form of the EMH for expected political -and budget events. The results of unexpected political events report that investors overreact to good political news while underreact to bad political news, indicate that results are consistent to UIH. The study may suggest that budget policies may not be very useful to offset the negative impact of political instability for a longer time period. So, the developing nations, especially, with more exposure towards political risk may use this suggestion as a strategic tool and, focus on some other channels to compensate the harmful effects of political instability on stock market performance. Keywords: Pakistan, KSE-100 index, Political events, Budget events, Event Study
Accuracy of swimming wearable watches for estimating energy expenditure

With the recent installation of waterproof function on wearable watches, various sports activities including walking, running and even swimming are monitored. Commercially available swimming wearable watches automatically identified stroke type, swim distance, stroke counts and energy expenditure (EE). Although the accuracy of estimating EE of walking, bilking and activities of daily life on activity monitors have been evaluated, it has not been examined for swimming. Thus, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of estimating EE for swimming wearable watches (Apple Watch S2, Apple and Garmin Finex 3HR, Garmin). A total of 78 swimmers aged 20-59 years (female: 48%) participated in the study. All the participants wore Apple and Garmin and completed a set of swimming protocol comprising various speeds (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2 m/s). At each swimming speed they were asked to swim for four minutes. Lap counts, stroke counts and energy expenditure (EE) from the Apple and Garmin were evaluated with the criterion measures. Lap counts and stroke counts were directly counted by the research assistant. The portable respiratory gas analyzer (K4b 2 , Cosmed, Italy) and a swimming snorkel (Aqua Trainer Snorkel, Cosmed, Italy) was used as the criterion measure of EE. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of lap counting and stroke counts at various swimming speed were within 10% for Apple (lap counts: 0.5-6.1%, stroke counts: 6.2-9.3%) and about 20% for Garmin (lap counts: 0-20.6%, stroke counts: 6.8-17.6%). However, the MAPE of EE was higher for Apple (17.1%-151.7%) than for Garmin (17.9%-32.7%). The accuracy of estimating EE tended to improve with increasing swimming speed for both Apple and Garmin. The EEs from Apple were outside the equivalence zone except for at 1.2 m/s and were overestimated compared to the criteria. On the other hand, EEs from Garmin were within the equivalence zone at all speeds except for 1.2 m/s. In conclusion, Apple and Garmin wearable watches accurately measure lap counts and stroke counts. However, the accuracy of estimating EE are poor at slow to medium swimming speed. Further improvement is needed to estimate energy expenditure of swimming at various speed.
Quantitative Literacy and Civic Virtue

Mathematics educators are occasionally called upon to justify the existence or the offering of quantitative literacy courses. This paper argues that effective quantitative literacy courses have different goals than algebra courses and are legitimate alternatives to algebra courses for non-STEM students. Furthermore, quantitative literacy courses affirm the historic relationship between citizenship and education. In today’s world of proliferating news sources, social media, and fake news, quantitative literacy has become an essential component of the long-held ideal of civic virtue.
Real-Time Multiple Event Detection and Classification in Power System Using Signal Energy Transformations

Real-time multiple event analysis is important for reliable situational awareness and secure operation of the power system. Multiple sequential events can induce complex superimposed pattern in the data and are challenging to analyze in real time. This paper proposes a method for accurate detection, temporal localization, and classification of multiple events in real time using synchrophasor data. For detection and temporal localization, a Teager–Kaiser energy operator (TKEO) based method is proposed. For event classification, a time series classification based method using energy similarity measure (ESM) is proposed. The proposed method is tested for simulated multiple event cases in the IEEE-118 bus system using DigSilent/PowerFactory and real PMU data for the Indian grid.
Guided waves in three-dimensional structures

A new formulation for the propagation of surface waves in three-dimensionally varying media is developed in terms of modal interactions. A variety of assumptions can be made about the nature of the modal field: a single set of reference modes, a set of local modes for the structure beneath a point, or a set of local modes for a laterally varying reference structure. Each modal contribution is represented locally as a spectrum of plane waves propagating in different directions in the horizontal plane. The influence of 3-D structure is included by allowing coupling between different modal branches and propagation directions. For anisotropic models, with allowance for attenuation, the treatment leads to a set of coupled 2-D partial differential equations for the weight functions for different modal orders. The representation of the guided wavefield requires the inclusion of a full set of modes, so that, even for isotropic models, both Love and Rayleigh modes appear as different polarization states of the modal spectrum. The coupling equations describe the interaction between the different polarizations induced by the presence of the 3-D structure. The level of lateral variation within the 3-D model is not required to be small. Horizontal refraction or reflection of the surface wavefield can be included by allowing for transfer between modes travelling in different directions. Approximate forms of the coupled equation system can be employed when the level of heterogeneity is small, for example the coupling between the fundamental mode and higher modes can often be neglected, or forward propagation can be emphasized by restricting the interaction to a limited band of plane waves covering the expected direction of propagation.
Age and significance of former low-altitude corrie glaciers on Hoy, Orkney Islands

Synopsis Geomorphological mapping provides evidence for two former low-level corrie glaciers on Hoy, both defined by end moraines. Five 10Be exposure ages obtained from sandstone boulders on moraine crests fall within the range 12.4 ± 1.5 ka to 10.4 ± 1.7 ka (weighted mean 11.7 ± 0.6 ka), confirming that these glaciers developed during the Loch Lomond (Younger Dryas) Stade (LLS) of 12.9–11.5 cal. ka bp, and demonstrate the feasibility of using this approach to establish the age of LLS glacier limits. The equilibrium line altitude (ELA) of one of the glaciers (99 m) is the lowest recorded for any LLS glacier, and the area-weighted mean ELA for both (141 m) is consistent with a general northward ELA decrease along the west coast of Britain. The size of moraines fronting these small (≤0.75 km2) glaciers implies that glacier termini remained at or close to their limits for a prolonged period. The apparent restriction of LLS glaciers to only two sites on Hoy probably reflects topographic favourability, and particularly the extent of snow-contributing areas.
Fossil pigments and pigment organelles - colouration in deep time

Pigmentation is important in all animals and plants, e.g., for protection against radiation, for signalling and as camouflage. The fossil record contains both colourful bird feathers and insect cuticles. The question is if original pigments and colours can be spared from diagenetic alteration through millions of years. This study uses SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and EDX (energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry) to examine the eyes of a fossil insect and a fossil feather, both from the Eocene Fur Formation, Denmark and two fossil feathers from the Eocene Green River Formation, USA. The EDX analysis showed elevated carbon intensities in the dark peripheral of the ommatidia and elevated calcium intensities towards the centre of each ommatidium. Elevated carbon and sulphur intensities were observed in all feathers relative to the surrounding matrix. The carbon in all four specimens is interpreted as originating from organic matter present in the fossils. The calcium in the insect eye is interpreted as the preserved crystalline cones of the ommatidia. It is possible that original pigments and pigments organelles are preserved; however this cannot be confirmed by the methods used in this study.
Oxidation kinetics and inverse isotope effect of marine nitrite-oxidizing isolates

Nitrification, the step-wise oxidation of ammonium to nitrite and nitrate, is important in the marine environment because it produces nitrate, the most abundant marine dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) component and N-source for phytoplankton and microbes. This study focused on the second step of nitrification, which is carried out by a distinct group of organisms, nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). The growth of NOB is characterized by nitrite oxidation kinetics, which we investigated for 4 pure cultures of marine NOB (Nitrospina watsonii 347, Nitrospira sp. Ecomares 2.1, Nitrococcus mobilis 231, and Nitrobacter sp. 311). We further compared the kinetics to those of non-marine species because substrate concentrations in marine environments are comparatively low, which likely influences kinetics and highlights the importance of this study. We also determined the isotope effect during nitrite oxidation of a pure culture of Nitrospina (Nitrospina watsonii 347) belonging to one of the most abundant marine NOB genera, and for a Nitrospira strain (Nitrospira sp. Ecomares 2.1). The enzyme kinetics of nitrite oxidation, described by Michaelis-Menten kinetics, of 4 marine genera are rather narrow and fall in the low end of half-saturation constant (Km) values reported so far, which span over 3 orders of magnitude between 9 and >1000 µM NO2-. Nitrospina has the lowest Km (19 µM NO2-), followed by Nitrobacter (28 µM NO2-), Nitrospira (54 µM NO2-), and Nitrococcus (120 µM NO2-). The isotope effects during nitrite oxidation by Nitrospina watsonii 347 and Nitrospira sp. Ecomares 2.1 were 9.7 ± 0.8 and 10.2 ± 0.9‰, respectively. This confirms the inverse isotope effect of NOB described in other studies; however, it is at the lower end of reported isotope effects. We speculate that differences in isotope effects reflect distinct nitrite oxidoreductase (NXR) enzyme orientations.
Counting carbohydrates as an educational tool to reduce fat consumption in obese children exposed to videogames: A pilot study

This study aimed to use carbohydrate counting as an educational tool to improve the diet habits and reduce fat mass in obese children exposed to videogames. It involved analytical and comparative pilot study in 10 children, 5 to 10 years of age with obesity and who were exposed to video games for more than five hours a day. It formed two study groups (five in each). One used carbohydrates count tool plus a diet plan and food orientation and the other group, although similar but was without the counting carbohydrates tool. To both groups, anthropometric (fat mass), biochemical, dietetics and clinical indicators were measured. The reduction of body fat in the 10 children was 4%, with a reduction in the consumption of simple sugars. In making the comparison, at the end of the intervention there was decreased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and food and an increase in the consumption of vegetables. No significant correlation was found between carbohydrate consumption and exposure to video games and also there was no difference (p < 0.05). The carbohydrate count tool improved the consumption of vegetables and decreased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and food, but was not clearly so for the fat mass reduction. These early findings showed a first approximation to apply this experience in a large sample. Key words: Sugar-sweetened beverages, body fat, obesity, video games, children.
Extracting signal from the noise of app reviews

The App Store and Google Play are mobile app store fronts furnished with a public review system. The competition on these store fronts is intense– developers can push new releases to users directly; users can publicly express opinions on the apps they have used. The resulting transparent feedback loop, while evident to the app community, is visible to competitors as well. Studying these app reviews within a domain can inform the design of their own competing app, exploiting any prior user dissatisfaction. Thus, it behoves developers to maintain quality, in either attempts to enter this market with a new app or efforts in continuous refinement of an existing app portfolio. Opinion mining research has yielded observations of interest to businesses by analysing user reviews of their products. These research efforts leverage static analysis techniques and natural language processing approaches to discern generalisable patterns and analyse content. However, a good framework to mine mobile app reviews for content useful to app developers is lacking. Our work addresses this gap. In this thesis we demonstrate that the majority of reviews when read in isolation, do not yield developers much actionable feedback. However, using a series of analytics, we can construct a frame of context to detect developer-useful information. More specifically, our work analyses 8.7 million reviews from 17,330 apps at a store–, category– and app-level perspective. We present a statistically constructed app review model that profiles review properties, growth and evolution. A text stabilisation treatment is also offered to prepare reviews for content analysis. Through use of the model to reduce the content search space, we offer a technique to detect and sort reviews by content usefulness. Holistic application of these analytics forms an app development benchmarking framework to inform project expectations, priorities and scoping.
A comparison of postrelease survival parameters between single and mass stranded delphinids from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

The viability of healthy single stranded dolphins as immediate release candidates has received little attention. Responders have been reluctant to release lone delphinids due to their social needs, even when they pass the same health evaluations as mass stranded animals. This study tracked postrelease success of 34 relocated and released satellite tagged delphinids from single and mass strandings. Three postrelease survival parameters (transmission duration, swim speed, and daily distance) were examined to evaluate whether they differed among single stranded/single released (SS/SR), mass stranded/single released (MS/SR), or mass stranded/mass released (MS/MR) dolphin groups. Comparisons were also made between healthy and borderline release candidates. Satellite tags transmitted for a mean of 21.2 d (SD = 19.2, range = 1–79), daily distance traveled was 42.0 km/d (11.25, 20.96–70.72), and swim speed was 4.3 km/h (1.1, 2.15–8.54). Postrelease parameters did not differ between health status groups, however, SS/SR dolphins transmitted for a shorter mean duration than MS/MR and MS/SR groups. Postrelease vessel-based surveys confirmed conspecific group location for two healthy, MS/SR dolphins. Overall, these results support the potential to release healthy stranded single delphinids; however, further refinement of health assessment protocols for these challenging cases is needed.
On the Hochschild cohomology of crossed products

Abstract. In this paper we show that there exists a spectral sequence with approximating the Hochschild cohomology of crossed products and that an isomorphism preserves products. As an example, we determine the module structure of the Hochschild cohomology of a certain crossed product and also the ring structure in a special case.
Stable numerical boundary conditions for Stokes equations

The author works with the vorticity-stream function formulation of the Stokes equations. Two boundary conditions are given for the stream function while no boundary conditions are given for the vorticity. A derived boundary condition for the vorticity is considered and it is proven that the resulting fully discrete numerical method is stable. The results are then extended to the three-dimensional Stokes equations using a staggered grid.
Performance evaluation of adiabatic quantum computation using neuron-like interconnections

: Quantum computation algorithms indicate possibility that non-deterministic polynomial time problems can be solved much faster than classical methods. We have proposed a neuromorphic quantum computation algorithm based on adiabatic quantum computation, in which an analogy to an artiﬁcial neural network is considered in order to design a Hamiltonian. However, in the neuromorphic AQC, the relation between its computation time and success rate has not been clear. In this paper, we study residual energy and the probability of correct answers as a function of computation time. The residual energy behaves as expected from the adiabatic theorem. On the other hand, the success rate strongly depends on energy level crossings of excited states during Hamiltonian evolution. The results indicate that computation time must be adjusted according to a target problem.
The discovery of large amounts of cold, X-ray absorbing matter in cooling flows

The discovery of significant excess absorption in the X-ray spectra of 12 clusters of galaxies is reported. The spectra also require a cooling-flow component, which confirms the results of imaging studies of the clusters showing the strongly peaked emission characteristic of cooling flows. The total mass of absorbing gas is determined on the assumption that it is distributed through the cooling flow region and has cosmic abundance. It is shown that the gas is most likely in the form of small cold clouds. The excess absorption is interpreted as being due to photoelectric absorption in cold gas clouds distributed through the cooling flows.
Dynamic population gratings in rare-earth-doped optical fibres

Dynamic Bragg gratings can be recorded in rare-earth (e.g. Er, Yb) doped optical fibres by two counter-propagating mutually coherent laser waves via local saturation of the fibre optical absorption or gain (in optically pumped fibres). Typical recording cw light power needed for efficient grating formation is of sub-mW–mW scale which results in characteristic recording/erasure times of 10–0.1 ms. This review paper discusses fundamental aspects of the population grating formation, their basic properties, relating wave-mixing processes and also considers different applications of these dynamic gratings in single-frequency fibre lasers, tunable filters, optical fibre sensors and adaptive interferometry.
Online, Supervised and Unsupervised Action Localization in Videos

Action recognition classifies a given video among a set of action labels, whereas action localization determines the location of an action in addition to its class. The overall aim of this dissertation is action localization. Many of the existing action localization approaches exhaustively search (spatially and temporally) for an action in a video. However, as the search space increases with high resolution and longer duration videos, it becomes impractical to use such sliding window techniques. The first part of this dissertation presents an efficient approach for localizing actions by learning contextual relations between different video regions in training. In testing, we use the context information to estimate the probability of each supervoxel belonging to the foreground action and use Conditional Random Field (CRF) to localize actions. In the above method and typical approaches to this problem, localization is performed in an offline manner where all the video frames are processed together. This prevents timely localization and prediction of actions/interactions an important consideration for many tasks including surveillance and human-machine interaction. Therefore, in the second part of this dissertation we propose an online approach to the challenging problem of localization and prediction of actions/interactions in videos. In this approach, we use human poses and superpixels in each frame to train discriminative appearance models and perform online prediction of actions/interactions with Structural SVM. Above two approaches rely on human supervision in the form of assigning action class labels to videos and annotating actor bounding boxes in each frame of training videos. Therefore, in the third part of this dissertation we address the problem of unsupervised action localization. Given unlabeled videos without annotations, this approach aims at: 1) Discovering action classes using a discriminative clustering approach, and 2) Localizing actions using a variant of Knapsack problem.
Fibrillatory conduction in a simulated two-dimensional model of human atrial tissue: effect of the interaction of two ectopic foci

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common tachyarrhythmia. It has been demonstrated that extra-stimuli could act as triggers for AF. In many patients it is possible that multiple ectopic foci co-exist, and their interactions may generate complex conduction patterns. Our goal is to investigate the influence of the focus frequency, conduction velocity, and anisotropy on fibrillatory pattern generation during the interaction of multiple ectopic activities under electrical remodeling conditions. Our results support the broadly accepted theory that ectopic activity acting in remodeled tissue is an initiator of reentrant mechanisms. These reentrant circuits can generate fibrillatory activity when interacting with other rapid ectopic foci and under the following conditions: high ectopic focus frequency, slow conduction velocity, and anisotropic tissue. Analyses of electrogram polymorphism allow determination of which zones of tissue permit one to know in which zone of tissue unstable activity exists. Our results give useful insights into the electrophysiological parameters that determine the initiation and maintenance of fibrillatory conduction by two ectopic foci interaction in a simulated two-dimensional sheet of human atrial cells, under chronic AF conditions.