Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Touchless Gestural System for Extended Information Access Within a Campus

In the last two decades, we have witnessed a growing spread of touchless interfaces, facilitated by higher performances of computational systems, as well as the increased availability of cheaper sensors and devices. Putting the focus on gestural input, several researchers and designers used Kinect-like devices to implement touchless gestural interfaces. The latter extends the possible deployments and usage of public interactive displays. For example, wall-sized displays may become interactive even if they are unreachable by touch. Moreover, billboard-sized displays may be placed in safe cases to avoid vandalism, while still maintaining their interactivity. Finally, people with temporary or permanent physical impairment (e.g. wheelchair users) may still comfortably interact with the display. Here we describe an information provision system allowing for touchless gestural interactions, along with a trial implementation within our University campus to test its effectiveness in a real setting. Our system is intended for use by students, lecturers and staff members, providing a captivating way to access news, lectures information, videos and more. We also report the results of an ongoing user study, defining a set of guidelines for future designs.
Complex Relationships of the Effects of Topographic Characteristics and Susceptible Tree Cover on Burn Severity

Forest fires and burn severity mosaics have profound impacts on the post-fire dynamics and complexity of forest ecosystems. Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between topographic variables and susceptible tree covers with regard to burn severity. However, these relationships have not been fully elucidated, because most studies have assumed linearity in these relationships. Therefore, we examined the linearity and the nonlinearity in the relationships between topographic variables and susceptible tree covers with burn severity by comparing linear and nonlinear models. The site of the Samcheok fire, the largest recorded forest fire in Korea, was used as the study area. We generated 802 grid cells with a 500-m resolution that encompassed the entire study area and collected a dataset that included the topographic variables and percentage of red pine trees, which are the most susceptible tree cover types in Korea. We used conventional linear models and generalized additive models to estimate the linear and the nonlinear models based on topographic variables and Japanese red pine trees. The results revealed that the percentage of red pine trees had linear effects on burn severity, reinforcing the importance of silviculture and forest management to lower burn severity. Meanwhile, the topographic variables had nonlinear effects on burn severity. Among the topographic variables, elevation had the strongest nonlinear effect on burn severity, possibly by overriding the effects of susceptible fuels over elevation effects or due to the nonlinear effects of topographic characteristics on pre-fire fuel conditions, including the spatial distribution and availability of susceptible tree cover. To validate and generalize the nonlinear effects of elevation and other topographic variables, additional research is required at different fire sites with different tree cover types in different geographic locations.
Price transmission in the era of global food market turmoil: the case of maize and wheat commodities in Ethiopia

v LIST OF TABLES . xii List of Tables in Appendices . xv LIST OF FIGURES . xvi List of Figures in Appendices. xvii LIST OF ACRONYMS . xviii CHAPTER 1: . 1 1.
Moral Judgment and Market Negotiations: A Comparison of Chinese and American Managers

Given the potential of the trading relationship between the People's Republic of China and the United States, insight into the Sino-American market negotiation process has never been more important. This exploratory study compares the Cognitive Moral Development (CMD) and negotiation style of international business people from mainland China with their direct American counterparts. In so doing, insight is gained concerning the cultural underpinnings of the market negotiation process with this very important, yet very foreign, Asian trading partner.
Wideband and low loss metamaterials for microwave and RF applications: Fast algorithm and antenna design

The paper is split into two major parts: (1) the first is to look into the EM wave properties in metamaterials and to develop an efficient solvers for their designs; and (2) the second is to try to design the metamaterials for antenna applications. For the efficient algorithms developed, the integral equation solvers accelerated using the adaptive integral (equation) method (AIM) and also the pre-corrected fast Fourier transform (pFFT) technique were developed and various examples in the designs will be demonstrated. In the second case, a single antenna designed using the metamaterial properties is considered, designed, fabricated, and measured. It is shown that the new design of the metamaterial antenna has a low loss (or high gain) and a broad bandwidth and this was never achieved using the conventional technique. The development of the metamaterial antennas was further extended to an array antenna and some interesting and promising results will be provided.
Interpreting the genomic landscape of speciation: a road map for finding barriers to gene flow

Speciation, the evolution of reproductive isolation among populations, is continuous, complex, and involves multiple, interacting barriers. Until it is complete, the effects of this process vary along the genome and can lead to a heterogeneous genomic landscape with peaks and troughs of differentiation and divergence. When gene flow occurs during speciation, barriers restricting gene flow locally in the genome lead to patterns of heterogeneity. However, genomic heterogeneity can also be produced or modified by variation in factors such as background selection and selective sweeps, recombination and mutation rate variation, and heterogeneous gene density. Extracting the effects of gene flow, divergent selection and reproductive isolation from such modifying factors presents a major challenge to speciation genomics. We argue one of the principal aims of the field is to identify the barrier loci involved in limiting gene flow. We first summarize the expected signatures of selection at barrier loci, at the genomic regions linked to them and across the entire genome. We then discuss the modifying factors that complicate the interpretation of the observed genomic landscape. Finally, we end with a road map for future speciation research: a proposal for how to account for these modifying factors and to progress towards understanding the nature of barrier loci. Despite the difficulties of interpreting empirical data, we argue that the availability of promising technical and analytical methods will shed further light on the important roles that gene flow and divergent selection have in shaping the genomic landscape of speciation.
The 10 Reasons Most Machine Learning Funds Fail

The rate of failure in quantitative finance is high, particularly in financial machine learning applications. The few managers who succeed amass a large amount of assets and deliver consistently exceptional performance to their investors. However, that is a rare outcome, for reasons that the author explains in this article. In the author's experience, 10 critical mistakes underlie those failures.
Do Liquidity and Financial Leverage Constrain the Impact of Firm Size and Dividend Payouts on Share Price in Emerging Economy

This study investigates the influence of liquidity position and financial leverage on the relationship of share price with firm size and dividend payouts in Pakistan by using the annual panel data of 356 non-financial firms listed on Karachi stock exchange from the period of 1999 to 2013. Pedroni panel cointegration approach confirms the valid long run relationship between considered variables. Results indicate that firm size and dividend payout have significant positive relationship with the firms' stock prices in long run. Results of causality test show the bidirectional causal relationship of firm size and dividend payout with stock prices in non-financial firms of Pakistan. The findings also support the dividend relevance theory, which means dividend payout have significantly impact on stock price, stock returns and firms' value. It is suggested that investors should invest in stock of those firms who pay higher dividend and having large firm size in order to get higher returns on their investments. On the other hand, results also suggest that the coefficient of dividend payout is more than coefficient of firm size. In the light of these findings management of firms should focus more on dividend payout than retained earnings to increase the firms' value in the market.
Partial Reduction of BACE1 Has Dramatic Effects on Alzheimer Plaque and Synaptic Pathology in APP Transgenic Mice*

The aspartyl protease β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) initiates processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) into amyloid β (Aβ) peptide, the major component of Alzheimer disease (AD) plaques. To determine the role that BACE1 plays in the development of Aβ-driven AD-like pathology, we have crossed PDAPP mice, a transgenic mouse model of AD overexpressing human mutated APP, onto mice with either a homozygous or heterozygous BACE1 gene knockout. Analysis of PDAPP/BACE(-/-) mice demonstrated that BACE1 is absolutely required for both Aβ generation and the development of age-associated plaque pathology. Furthermore, synaptic deficits, a neurodegenerative pathology characteristic of AD, were also reversed in the bigenic mice. To determine the extent of BACE1 reduction required to significantly inhibit pathology, PDAPP mice having a heterozygous BACE1 gene knock-out were evaluated for Aβ generation and for the development of pathology. Although the 50% reduction in BACE1 enzyme levels caused only a 12% decrease in Aβ levels in young mice, it nonetheless resulted in a dramatic reduction in Aβ plaques, neuritic burden, and synaptic deficits in older mice. Quantitative analyses indicate that brain Aβ levels in young APP transgenic mice are not the sole determinant for the changes in plaque pathology mediated by reduced BACE1. These observations demonstrate that partial reductions of BACE1 enzyme activity and concomitant Aβ levels lead to dramatic inhibition of Aβ-driven AD-like pathology, making BACE1 an excellent target for therapeutic intervention in AD.
Impact of Falls on Physical Activity in People with Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND A complex relationship exists between motor impairment, physical activity (sedentary behavior, standing and ambulatory activity) and falls in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). OBJECTIVE To explore associations between recent fall history and the ability to retain an active lifestyle as determined by the volume, pattern and variability of physical activity in people with PD. METHODS Forty-eight participants with PD were recruited from the Norwegian ParkWest study. Body posture and ambulatory activity were monitored objectively over 7 days using the activPAL3 accelerometer. Clinical assessments included the Hoehn and Yahr stage, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor section and Falls Efficacy Scale-International. Structured interviews were performed to obtain information about demographics, fall history last 6 months, mobility and dementia. RESULTS Participants with a fall history (n = 20) spent more time sedentary and less time standing than non-falling participants (n = 28). There were no significant differences regarding pattern or variability of sedentary behavior, standing or ambulatory activity in falling versus non-falling participants. Confidence in being able to get up from floor contributed significantly to time spent in sedentary behavior and ambulatory activity in participants with fall history, whereas motor impairment was significantly associated with time spent in all facets of physical activity for non-falling participants. CONCLUSIONS Fall history in our PD cohort was associated with a more sedentary lifestyle, but not less ambulatory activity. More emphasis on improving the capacity to safely complete activities of daily living and increase confidence in getting up from floor may reduce sedentary behavior in people with PD.
Rhabdomyolysis due to Lamivudine administration in acute viral hepatitis B infection: a case report from Malaysia

Rhabdomyolysis is a serious but rare side effect of Lamivudine treatment. Therefore, appropriate biochemical monitoring should be undertaken when it is used in the treatment of hepatitis B. This paper presents a case of Lamivudine-associated rhabdomyolysis in a 31-year-old man with congenital heart disease and hepatitis B. Three days after starting Lamivudine, the patient developed myalgia. Significant muscle tenderness and swelling of the upper and lower limbs was discovered during a physical examination. Creatine kinase was markedly raised. Lamivudine-induced rhabdomyolysis was suspected and the drug was discontinued. Symptoms and creatine kinase activity improved within four days of Lamivudine cessation and hydration. Early identification of Lamivudine-induced rhabdomyolysis is key in preventing this potentially fatal drug reaction; withdrawal of Lamivudine may contribute to complete remission of rhabdomyolysis.
Retention of water-borne bacteria by membrane filters. Part III: Bacterial challenge tests on 0.1 micron rated filters.

Clear performance differences were observed between different 0.1 micron rated filters in terms of their microbial removal efficiency when challenged with naturally occurring waterborne bacteria from a water source. Penetration occurred with three 0.1 micron rated "sterilizing grade" filter types tested, from three different filter manufacturers, that did not have a specific high titer reduction claim for Acholeplasma laidlawii. Bacteria shown to penetrate these 0.1 micron rated filters were quite similar to those recovered downstream of 0.2. 0.22 micron rated filters (described in Part II). All of the isolates identified via FAME analyses were common environmental or ubiquitous organisms, and some, such as Acidovorax sp. and Hydrogenophaga pseudoflava, have also been isolated from pharmaceutical water systems. In contrast, four different 0.1 micron rated "sterilizing grade" filter types from two different manufacturers, which had been qualified with both B. diminuta and A. laidlawii, consistently produced sterile effluents under similar test conditions. This study thus highlights the need for an industry or regulatory standard method of defining the microbial removal performance of 0.1 micron rated filters, and supports the use of functionally qualified 0.1 micron rated filters as sterilizing grade filters in pharmaceutical operations for enhanced sterility assurance.
Not Just Urban Policy: Suburbs, Segregation, and Charter Schools.

As the charter school sector expands rapidly with federal support amid on-going diversification and growing segregation among traditional public school students, this article examines existing patterns of segregation in charter schools. Prior research has demonstrated that charter schools are substantially more segregated than our already stratified public school system. This article uses national data from 2007-08 and finds that charter schools are indeed more segregated for students of all races. We pay particular attention to these trends in suburban areas and at the metropolitan level where charter schools could be institutions that create diversity across city-suburban or intra-suburban boundary lines. It concludes with a discussion of why these patterns may exist and what could be done to remedy segregation.
The uncertainty of a future-focused curriculum in New Zealand: The perceptions and practice of six secondary school technology teachers.

New Zealand education is unique because it has had a technology curriculum since the mid-1990's. In response to the way that technology is evolving, however, the curriculum is currently under revision, to be inclusive of a need to develop students' digital literacy. It appears that for some teachers, there are persisting barriers to their enactment of the curriculum, which is likely to inhibit any further transformation in practice. This article reports findings from research, which sought to explore six teachers understandings of technology education, in two New Zealand secondary schools. The research highlighted constraints upon teachers' practice, which will require transformation to support a future-focused curriculum, and students' developing academic and social learning needs.
Conventional aortic valve replacement for elderly patients in the current era.

BACKGROUND Because of the rising expectation of prolonged life in the general population and the recent recognition of undertreated aortic valve disease in the elderly, updating the available results of aortic valve surgery is imperative, especially considering the rapid evolution of the transcatheter valve implantation procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS Between 1997 and 2010, 308 patients aged 70 years or older underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS). Short- and long-term results were analyzed and risk factors for long-term mortality were determined. Mean age was 78.5 years and 124 patients were aged 80 or older. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed in 46% of the cases. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 52%. Overall observed and expected operative mortality using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 3.9% and 4.8%, respectively. Overall survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 88.6%, 71.6%, and 31.8%, respectively. Predictors of long-term mortality included diabetes; preoperative shock; LVEF ≤ 40%; New York Heart Association functional class III or IV; and age. CONCLUSIONS Short- and long-term results of conventional AVR in the elderly prove it to be durable and, especially in relatively low-risk patients and patients who require concomitant CABG, operative mortality is reasonably low. Conventional AVR ± CABG remains the gold standard for elderly patients with AS.
Novel triple missense mutations of GUCY2D gene in Japanese family with cone-rod dystrophy: possible use of genotyping microarray.

PURPOSE To report a novel mutation in the GUCY2D gene in a Japanese family with autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy (adCORD), and to examine the possible use of arrayed primer extension (APEX)-based genotyping chip in detecting mutations. METHODS Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of family members with adCORD. It was PCR-amplified, fragmented, and hybridized to APEX-based genotyping microarrays on which known disease-associated sequence variations were arrayed for patients with early-onset retinal dystrophy. All coding exons of the GUCY2D gene were directly sequenced. The PCR amplicon carrying a novel mutation was subcloned, and each clone was sequenced. RESULTS Five single nucleotide polymorphisms in AIPL1, RPGRIP1, and GUCY2D were detected in the proband by microarray screening, and all were validated by direct sequencing. A novel heterozygous triple missense mutation of c. 2540_2542delinsTCC (p.Gln847_Lys848delinsLeuGln amino acid substitutions) was found in both the proband and his father, and the three nucleotide changes were located on the same chromosome. Electroretinography (ERGs) demonstrated a significant reduction in rod function and a complete absence of cone function in both affected individuals. CONCLUSIONS A novel heterozygous triple consecutive missense mutation in the GUCY2D gene has been linked to adCORD. Our study demonstrates that the APEX-based gene screening can be used to identify simultaneously disease-modifying sequence changes as well as disease-causing mutations, once proper and comprehensive sites of sequence variations of the disease are arrayed.
South African Youth Patriotic, Optimistic about National Cohesion, but Low on Civic Engagement

South Africa celebrates Youth Day every June 16 to commemorate the students who lost their lives during the Soweto Uprising in 1976. An estimated 3,000-10,000 students marched to protest the apartheid government’s directive to make Afrikaans a compulsory medium of instruction in public education, alongside English. The violent police response to this peaceful protest led to a widespread revolt against the government and exposed the brutality of the apartheid state to the international community. These events brought energy back into the liberation struggle and pushed young citizens to play a pivotal role in ending apartheid (South African History Online, 2015).
Investigating Student Perceptions of an Engineering Department’s Climate: The Role of Peer Relations

Susannah C. Davis is a postdoctoral research associate in the School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering at Oregon State University. She received her Ph.D. and M.Ed. from the University of Washington, and her B.A. from Smith College. She is currently working on the NSF-funded REvolutionizing engineering and computer science Departments (RED) project at OSU. Her research focuses on organizational learning and change, particularly in higher education; learning in the workplace; curricular and pedagogical development; and the preparation of professionals for social justice goals.
Molecular genetics of atrioventricular septal defects

Purpose of review Atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs) occur as a clinical feature of several different syndromes, as autosomal dominant defects, and as sporadically occurring malformations. Consequently, it is clear that there is genetic heterogeneity, but until recently, little else was known about the genes involved in the pathogenesis of AVSD. Recent advances in understanding the molecular genetic basis of AVSD are reviewed. Recent findings Atrioventricular septal defect is most often found associated with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), but the responsible gene or genes on chromosome 21 have not been identified. However, promising candidates exist, and the current status of those efforts is presented. AVSD not associated with trisomy 21 usually occurs as a sporadic trait with no indication of the genetic basis. The discovery of cysteine rich with EGF domains (CRELD) 1 as the first recognized genetic risk factor for AVSD provides new insight into the genetic basis of sporadically occurring AVSD and the potential for genetic overlap with syndromic AVSD. Mutation of CRELD1 increases susceptibility to AVSD but is not alone sufficient to cause the defect, indicating that AVSD is multigenic. Consequently, additional genes must be identified to understand the genetic basis of AVSD. Summary Because most nonsyndromic cases of AVSD are sporadic, opportunities for genetic analyses in humans are limited. An abundance of candidate genes have been identified through animal models and biochemical studies, but determining which actually contribute to the pathogenesis of AVSD will be difficult. Painstaking investigation of these candidate genes in humans may ultimately be necessary to identify the remaining genetic risk factors for AVSD.