Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing "Mean Length of Utterance" and "Mean Length of Five Phrasal Utterances" between 2-To-5 Year-Old Normal Farsi-Speaking Children

Background: Since most clinical treatments of Persian children’s language impairments are based on either the therapist, clinicians’ experiences (mostly), or English language norms (sometimes), comparing two minor indices of speech quality, namely “mean Length of Utterance” (MLU) and “mean length of five phrasal utterances” (MLFPU) between different age groups of children, would be unequivocally efficient to help diagnose and treat Farsi-Speaking Children with language impairments. Methods: To compare the two mentioned indices of 2 to 5-year-old normal Farsi-speaking children, the speech samples of 500 children were scrutinized by elicitation, transcription, and statistically analyzing their language samples. Results: The net results prove that as the children’s ages grow from 2 to 5, the two mentioned indices increase and extend as well. Conclusion: The influence of chronological age on the indices varies, regarding the type of language samples. Hence, the analysis of speech quality indices in assessment of children’s language ability has to be performed based on the language sampling methods.
A self-similar process arising from a random walk with random environment in random scenery

In this article, we merge celebrated results of Kesten and Spitzer [Z. Wahrsch. Verw. Gebiete 50 (1979) 5-25] and Kawazu and Kesten [J. Stat. Phys. 37 (1984) 561-575]. A random walk performs a motion in an i.i. d. environment and observes an i.i. d. scenery along its path. We assume that the scenery is in the domain of attraction of a stable distribution and prove that the resulting observations satisfy a limit theorem. The resulting limit process is a self-similar stochastic process with non-trivial dependencies.
Glycemic Control and Accompanying Risk Factors: 4-Year Primary Care Study

Objective: This study is to assess the glycemic control and the other risk factors like LDL, blood pressure readings and body mass index for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in 8 primary care centers over 4 years of time. Methods: An observational, retrospective cohort, multicenter study which was conducted in 8 National Guard primary health care centers. Four of the centers were located in Riyadh; while the others are from different regions in Saudi Arabia. A stratified random sampling method was used according to number of diabetic patients at each center The main study outcomes were to measure the mean HbA1c, LDL levels, blood pressure and BMI readings and the percentage of diabetic patients who reached the ADA goal of HbA1c, LDL, and blood pressure and how it changed during 4 years of time. Also the percentage of adults with diabetes who have HbA1c<0.07 and the changes of controlled patients within the study period. Results: Total number of type-2 diabetic patients of this study was 778, with mean age of 55.03 ± 11.4, 62.7% of them were females. The mean of the HbA1c was 8.7 on 2006 and reduced to 8.6 within four years, 16.6% of diabetic patients had their last HbA1c reading reached the HbA1c goal (≤7%). The LDL and diastolic blood pressure decreased also within the follow up years insignificantly (-0.299 and -1.37). While the systolic blood pressure and BMI increased over 4 years of time (+0.58 and +0.27). HbA1c level shows a significant relation with the education levels in 2007 and 2008. HbA1c also prove a significant relation with LDL for three years in sequence. Age and BMI had a significant relation with the systolic blood pressure. Conclusion: Poor glycemic control has serious impact not only on patients but on the society. The primary health care setting and structure were not well-prepared to properly manage diabetes and its related comorbidities.
Torque and Ripple Improving of a SR Motor Using Robust Particle Swarm Optimization of Drive Current and Dimension

In this paper, the robust optimization shape and drive of switched reluctance motors (SRMs) are discussed using robust particle swarm optimization (RPSO). The shape optimum goal of the algorithm was found for maximum torque value and minimum torque ripple, following changing the geometric parameters. The drive optimum aim of the algorithm was found minimum torque ripple, following changing the current profiles. The optimization process was carried out using a combination of RPSO and Finite Element Method (FEM). Fitness value was calculated by FEM analysis using COMSOL 4.2, and the RPSO was realized by MATLAB 2011. The proposed method has been applied to two case studies and also compared with seeker optimization algorithm. The results show that the optimized SRM using RPSO has higher torque value, lower torque ripple and higher robustness, indicating the validity of this methodology for SRM design and implementation.
Antifungal activity of extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Aframomum danielli against moulds isolated from stored rice

The fungitoxic effect of extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Aframomum danielli on some moulds isolated from rice grains were determined in vitro. Aqueous extracts of Aframomum danielli inhibited the radial growth of the moulds at different levels between 46.4 - 56.7%. Aspergillus niger (56.7%) was the most sensitive to Aframomum danielli while Cladosporium sphaerospermum (46.4%) was the least sensitive. Ocimum gratissimum extract inhibited the radial growth of the moulds between 46.4 – 59.7% with Penicillium citrinum showing the highest sensitivity and C. sphaerospermum being the least sensitive. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the effect of Ocimum gratissimum and Aframomum danielli on all the moulds. Ocimum gratissimum showed the greater antifungal activity against the storage fungi (mean = 53.4%) compared to Aframomum danielli (mean = 51.9%). However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the effect of Ocimum gratissimum and Aframomum danielli on the storage fungi. Both plant products showed varying levels of fungitoxic activities and could be potentially used in the storage of Ofada and Abakaliki rice against moulds. Keywords : Plant extracts, Antifungal activity, Storage fungi, Moulds, Rice
RELATIONSHIP AMONG INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN WORKING MEMORY CAPACITY, NOTICING, AND L2 SPEECH PRODUCTION

Working memory is the human cognitive system in charge of the simultaneous and temporary processing and storage of information in the performance of complex cognitive tasks. A long tradition of research has shown that individual differences in working memory capacity are related to level of performance in these tasks. In the present study, we examine the relationship among individual differences in working memory capacity, noticing, and L2 speech production. It is suggested that working memory capacity is related to accuracy in L2 speech production but not to the ability to notice L2 formal aspects in the input.
CREATIVITY AND THINKING STYLES IN ARTS, SCIENCES, AND HUMANITIES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

This study aimed to explore the differences in factors of creativity and thinking styles among students aged 13-18 attending to arts, sciences, and humanities high schools. Thinking Style Inventory of Sternberg and Wagner (1992) and Test of Creative Thinking of Williams (1994) were used. Results showed that the more sciences students preferred to work with concrete problems and
Analysis of Relationship between Pioneer Brand Status and Consumer’s Attitude toward a Brand (Case on Yamaha Automatic vs. Honda Automatic Transmission Motorcycle in Indonesia)

Previous research have indicated that brand pioneership provide some advantages such as high market share barriers to entry and consumers preference as well as higher consumer attitude. This paper intends to explore the influence of perceived brand pioneership on consumers’ brand attitude. The study focuses on two competing brands from automatic transmission motorcycle category, namely Yamaha and Honda. Based on result from 90 respondents, this study confirms the perception that Yamaha, although not the true pioneer is perceived by the majority of respondents as the pioneering brand in the automatic transmission motorcycle. This study also found that those respondents who perceived that Yamaha is the pioneer brand tend to ascribe higher brand attitude toward Yamaha than toward Honda. Result from this study adds to the repository of studies concerning brand pioneership as well as adding to repository of knowledge about Indonesian consumer behavior.
Hard Diffraction at the Tevatron and at HERA

Experimental results on hard diffraction from HERA and the Tevatron are summarized and compared, and conclusions are drawn about factorization, scaling, the form of the rapidity gap probability in soft and hard diffraction, and the nature of the pomeron. This paper was adapted from a conference summary talk given at the “Workshop on Diffractive Physics, LAFEX International School on High Energy Physics (LISHEP’98)”,10-20 February 1998, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [hep-ph/9806384]; it was also presented at the “Fourth Workshop on Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD’98)”, 1-6 June 1998, The American Institute of Paris, Paris, France; and at the International Symposium of Multiparticle Dynamics (ISMD’98)”, 6-11 September 1998, Delphi, Greece.
Sex bias in a wintering population of Dunlin Calidris alpina in central Taiwan

The sexes of many migratory shorebird species differ in timing and distance of their migrations, but this phenomenon has been little studied for birds in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF). Using molecular sexing techniques (but also taking morphometric data), we compared the sex ratio of Dunlin Calidris alpina sampled on the west coast of Taiwan between September 2007 and May 2008. We found an overall sex bias (59.2%) toward females, including juveniles. A discriminant function deduced from three morphological measurements correctly identified 89.0% of Dunlin, but performed better in identifying males than females. Since Taiwan is at the southern end of the Dunlin’s East Asian winter range, our results support the ‘arrival-time’ hypothesis whereby the sex that arrives earlier on the breeding grounds winters closer to them. To maintain stable populations, conservation must take account of this differential use of wintering grounds by the two sexes.
Politics of Performance Appraisal Effects: A Study of Aviation Industry of Islamabad

The organizational life pervaded with politics (some organizations more than others are). Hence, political behavior is an ordinary part of the Performance Appraisals (PAS) processes and PAS are highly prone by politics. Politics is an important determinant in the pay systems as both supervisors and subordinates have possibilities to influence the results of the appraisal process. The overall atmosphere of all organizations has an influence on the effectiveness of the performance appraisals. The core objective of this review is to accomplish an imperative review of "the politics of performance appraisal” by enticing material from diverse literatures. The study conducted in the aviation industry in Islamabad. Total sample size for this study is 100 including both senior and middle management and comprised of employees who had participated in the organization's appraisal process for at least two years. Politics often enters the performance appraisal method thus manipulating the works. Therefore, to keep the process hindered in a political game, a conscious effort needed by both the manager and those training him or her in appraisal techniques. This study provides useful insights by demonstrating the importance of effective PA in enhancing performance in aviation industry context. Moreover, this study sets out to investigate the politics of PAS in Aviation industry in Islamabad. The results revealed a negative perception that the employees held of the PAS that the system affected by subjectivity, and was influenced by some major errors.
A preliminary study on some potential toxic effects of Rosa damascena Mill

Summary Rosa damascena has been traditionally used as an herbal medicine for different therapeutic purposes. In order to preliminarily study the probable toxic effects of the plant, its infusion was orally administered to 5 groups of 5 dogs at doses 0.5-8 times that of human use in traditional medicine (90-1440 mg/kg/d) for 10 successive days. The dogs in the control group (n=4) received placebo. Serum levels of urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin, albumin and protein were measured in all experimental groups at days 0, 1, 3, 7 and 10. Except for a transient increase in bilirubin levels (day 3) and a rise in serum ALT at day 10, both with the highest dose of the treatment, there were no statistical differences between different experimental groups compared to the control. The results suggest minimal nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic effects for the infusion of R. damascena, however, the medication may be hepatotoxic at extraordinary high doses.
246 Implied Volatility with Time-Varying Regime Probabilities *

This paper presents a mixture multiplicative error model with a time-varying probability between regimes. We model the implied volatility derived from call and put options on the USD/EUR exchange rate. The daily first difference of the USD/EUR exchange rate is used as a regime indicator, with large daily changes signaling a more volatile regime. Forecasts indicate that it is beneficial to jointly model the two implied volatility series: both mean squared errors and directional accuracy improve when employing a bivariate rather than a univariate model. In a two-year out-of-sample period, the direction of change in implied volatility is correctly forecast on two thirds of the trading days. JEL Classification: C32, C53, G13
Local Skill Concentrations and District Employment Growth : A Spatial Simultaneous Equation Approach for India

The focus of this paper is to explore the role of spatial distribution of skills in explaining differential growth rates of employment across Indian districts between the years 2001 and 2011 by using data from Census of India. To measure skills across districts, we use the skill-content of occupations and the occupational distribution of workers across districts. We then model employment and population growth simultaneously taking into account spatial correlation of the endogenous variables. We find that a one standard deviation increase in (cognitive) skills is associated with 0.52 standard deviation increase in the growth rate of male main workers and a 0.42 increase in the growth rate of male non-farm main workers. However, female employment has significantly decreased in initially skilled regions.
Simulation study of a virtual natural lighting solutions prototype : validation and analysis

Introduction The benefit of natural light and view from windows in buildings has been widely reported (e.g. Berman et al., 2008; Aries et al., 2010). However, there are some situations in which natural light is absent, for example, due to hygienic or safety reasons. To answer this challenge, the concept of Virtual Natural Lighting Solutions (VNLS), which are systems that can artificially provide natural lighting as well as a realistic outside view with properties comparable to those of real windows and skylights, is proposed. This study aims to find how a certain VNLS prototype influences the indoor lighting condition and visual comfort. In particular, this study focuses on lighting measurement and simulation of a 'second generation' VNLS prototype. Two objectives are defined: (1) to validate the illuminance distribution results obtained from Radiance simulation (Ward & Shakespeare, 1998) with the ones obtained from measurement, by evaluating the interior lighting condition inside the test room; and (2) to determine the effect of various prototypes configurations on the space availability, uniformity, and visual comfort in the test room.
The Overview of the Elderly Lifestyle Profile in Surabaya

The elderly lifestyle may affect their health condition. Based on SUSENAS 2014, the number of elderly in Indonesia reached 20.24 million, with 25.05% morbidity rates, it shows that one in four elderly people have experienced some illness. This study aimed to identifying the lifestyle profile of the elderly in Surabaya. The research design used descriptive method with variable of lifestyle of 210 elderly in Surabaya. This study was conducted from June until July, 2016. The results showed that the elderly living in coastal areas having poor lifestyle (53,256 + 11,6719), while elderly living in urban areas and in nursing homes having moderate lifestyle (66,680 + 9,3923) and (62,347 + 7,8814), respectively. Poor lifestyle found in coastal areas of Surabaya was due to lacking of physical exercise and ignorance of diet pattern. Family as a major support system should provide assistance and attention.
Inhabitants believe on quack grounds for reemergence of viral hepatitis cases in Lakhimpur district of Assam

Viral hepatitis becomes a common problem among the community of Assam due to lack of sufficient knowledge regarding safe drinking water and hygiene. An outbreak of hepatitis A virus took place in Kopakchapori village under Boginodi block in lakhimpur district during the month of October, 2013. Blood samples were collected from suspected viral hepatitis patients to determine the aetiological agent of hepatitis virus. 57.14% of the collected samples confirmed HAV IgM Elisa positive. No HEV IgM positive cases were detected. Some typhoid positive patients were also detected in the locality, but no co-infection found. The patients were treated locally by some quack with the use of some herbal thread and herbal bindi (Tikka). Water samples collected from drinking water sources showed presence of higher level of bacilli which is not suitable for domestic purpose. Many unprotected tube wells were observed without brim or platform in all the houses of the locality. Observed poor hygiene as there is no latrine and the people having habit of open air defecation. Water sources used by the community were not only contaminated with HAV but also salmonella species. There is an enormous need to save the community in the Kopakchapori locality for future reinfection by giving awareness camp and adequate action from Public health engineering department.
The Impact of Internet Banking Service Quality on Customers’ Satisfaction: A Case study of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in KunMing, The People’s Republic of China

The study investigates the relationships between each dimensions of service quality and customers’ satisfaction in Chinese internet banking (reliability, responsiveness, assurance, service security, transaction efficiency, ease of use, customer support and performance). A total of 400 sets of questionnaires were collected to analyze the results. Descriptive analysis and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient were used in this research to test the hypotheses and analyze the data. The findings reveal that assurance, transaction efficiency and service security have a strong positive relationship with customers’ satisfaction in internet banking. Reliability, responsiveness, ease of use, customer support and performance have a moderate positive relationship with customers’ satisfaction. Fundamentally, these findings may help marketers to craft their strategy.
MICROSATELLITE-BASED GENETIC VARIABILITY AND DIFFERENTIATION OF HATCHERY AND FERAL COMMON CARP CYPRINUS CARPIO L. (CYPRINIDAE, CYPRINIFORMES) POPULATIONS IN CROATIA

Common carp production has an important status in Croatian aquaculture. In addition, the sport fishing of common carp in open waters is very popular, but it is often based on stocking from fish farms. Using fifteen microsatellites, 243 individuals from 5 hatchery and 5 feral populations have been analyzed. A total number of 148 alleles were recorded. However, the mean number of alleles per locus was remarkably low. Pairwise FST values (0.026-0.130) were significant (P<0.01), demonstrating differentiation among populations. The Markov chain method test showed that all the popula- tions deviated from HWE (P <0.05). After sequential Bonferroni correction only the Vrana lake was in HWE in all the loci but MFW20. The factors that may result in genetic divergence and significant reduction of the observed heterozygosity are discussed. AMOVA results for 10 populations indicate that the percentage of the variation among populations was 6.26%, which is lower than the variation within populations (91.04%).
Using Visual Saliency and Geometric Sensing for Mobile Robot Navigation

Autonomous navigation of robots has been of immense research interests since the beginning of robotics. The potential benefits of having a robot with autonomous navigation capability are of immense value to the research community and the society at large. Much progress has been made in the area but a fully functional autonomous navigation system has yet to be developed. The focus of this project is to develop a multi-sensorial system, which is capable of achieving the synergy of combining and complementing geometrical information from a laser scanner and photometrical information from a camera. It is our belief that a navigational system based solely on one sensory information will be inadequate and an additional form of sensory data is required to enhance the robustness and reliability of the navigation system. Henceforth, a concept of local workspace descriptor is being developed. A local workspace descriptor is comprised of different sensor modalities that describe the workspace the robot is currently in. A combination of sensor modalities such as local geometry, visual texture, visual features or robot’s trajectories will form the local workspace descriptor. In particular, efforts will made to apply existing repertoire of computer vision tools to describe the local workspace. The research will be focused on developing a toolkit of algorithms that can effectively select “interesting” landmarks in the environment, represent the visual landmarks in distinctive and compact formats that can be easily stored and compared with other visual landmarks. To develop this toolkit, several existing computer vision algorithms such as Kadir/Brady scale saliency algorithm, Matas’ maximally stable extremal regions, homography and Lowe’s scale invariant feature transform descriptors will be investigated to determine their suitability for use in an indoor environment. In addition, the use of geometry obtained from the laser scanner will be useful in simplifying the computer vision problems.