Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour framework to understand Tasmanian farmer decision making and adoption of pasture management practices to inform future extension

Improved pasture management and subsequent increase in pasture production are positively associated with dairy farm efficiency and profitability in temperate climates. Supporting dairy farmers in developing pasture management knowledge and skills has therefore been a key priority for research, development and public extension in the Tasmanian dairy industry, in southern Australia. The role of extension has been to increase farmer awareness and knowledge of best practice pasture management and to facilitate farmer learning, with a focus on training farmers to use pasture measurement tools. Despite focused extension efforts, there remains a large proportion of farmers who have either not engaged in extension activities, or do not implement the recommended approach of measuring and monitoring pastures. To further understand farmer decision making, this study obtained qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with thirty Tasmanian dairy farmers. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework was used to identify and explore the key factors influencing farmer intentions and behaviour around engagement and adoption. There was a strong negative effect of social influence around the use of pasture measurement tools by experienced farmers. This negative influence limited their intention to measure pasture and engage in the learning process required to overcome perceived control factors and change practices. Perceived control factors limiting behaviour change included tool data inaccuracy and challenging calculations associated with recommended management practices. This study provides valuable insights into the adoption behaviours of farmer sub-groups in the Tasmanian dairy industry, and demonstrates use of the TPB framework to guide future development of extension content and delivery.
Involving the reader in the text : engagement markers in native and non-native student argumentative essays

The research explores an aspect of writer-reader interaction in native and non-native speaker student argumentative essays. Based on the assumption that writing is inherently a dialogue between writers and readers, this study looks in detail at key aspects of the ways in which Iranian and British students interact with their readers, bring them into the text, and involve them in the construction of the discourse and the arguments in order to contribute to the interactiveness and persuasiveness of the text. Three linguistic resources – interactant pronouns, questions, and directives – are looked at in a corpus totalling 334 short argumentative essays produced by Iranian EFL writers (at two proficiency levels of high and low and two test versions of Academic and General) and British A-level students. The texts are analyzed using specially devised analytical frameworks and with the help of WordSmith Tools, a corpus analysis software. The results reveal that both language groups use the three linguistic devices for fairly similar purposes, indicating the generic similarities in the writings of both groups of students. The findings, however, show noticeable quantitative differences: the British students use questions more frequently than the Iranian students, whereas the Iranian students use interactant pronouns and directives considerably more frequently than the British students. The quantitative differences seem to be related to distinct cultural conventions as well as the Iranians’ overall lower proficiency level. Within the Iranian sub-corpora, Iranian high-scoring and Iranian Academic students use the three interactive resources more frequently than their low-scoring and General counterparts. The pedagogical implications of the study for novice EFL writers are outlined.
Segmentation performance evaluation for object-based remotely sensed image analysis

The initial step in most object-based classification methodologies is the application of a segmentation algorithm to define objects. Modelling the human visual process of object segmentation is a challenging task. Many theories in cognitive psychology propose that the human visual system (HVS) initially segments scenes into areas of uniform visual properties or primitive objects. If an accurate primitive-object segmentation algorithm is ever to be realized, a procedure must be in place to evaluate potential solutions. The most commonly used strategy to evaluate segmentation quality is a comparison against ground truth captured by human interpretation. A cognitive experiment reveals that ground truth captured in such a manner is at a larger scale than the desired primitive-object scale. To overcome this difficulty we consider the possibility of evaluating segmentation quality in an unsupervised manner without ground truth. Two requirements for any method which attempts to perform segmentation evaluation in such a manner are proposed, and the importance of these is illustrated by the poor performance of a metric which fails to meet them both. A novel metric, known as the spatial unsupervised (SU) metric, which meets both the requirements is proposed. Results demonstrate the SU metric to be a more reliable metric of segmentation quality compared to existing methods.
Modelling of a paper making process via genetic neural networks and first principle approaches

Presents a novel approach for the modelling of typical nonlinear systems at the wet end of the paper machines. Due to the complicated nature of the process, at first a pure multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network is applied to establish the nonlinear model for the system. Instead of using standard backpropagation (BP) algorithms, genetic algorithm-based training is applied during the weight optimization phase. This is then followed by a logical combination of the so-formed neural network with a physical modelling exercise, leading to an improved semi-physical model which combines the advantages of physical and neural network modelling. The effectiveness of the proposed modelling techniques is illustrated by their applications in the establishment of two models, paper sizing and dry strength, for the wet-end chemical processes of the UMIST pilot paper machine.
Auto-WEKA : combined selection and hyperparameter optimization of supervised machine learning algorithms

Many different machine learning algorithms exist; taking into account each algorithm’s set of hyperparameters, there is a staggeringly large number of possible choices. This project considers the problem of simultaneously selecting a learning algorithm and setting its hyperparameters. Previous works attack these issues separately, but this problem can be addressed by a fully automated approach, in particular by leveraging recent innovations in Bayesian optimization. The WEKA software package provides an implementation for a number of feature selection and supervised machine learning algorithms, which we use inside our automated tool, Auto-WEKA. Specifically, we examined the 3 search and 8 evaluator methods for feature selection, as well as all of the classification and regression methods, spanning 2 ensemble methods, 10 meta-methods, 27 base algorithms, and their associated hyperparameters. On 34 popular datasets from the UCI repository, the Delve repository, the KDD Cup 09, variants of the MNIST dataset and CIFAR-10, our method produces classification and regression performance often much better than obtained using state-of-the-art algorithm selection and hyperparameter optimization methods from the literature. Using this integrated approach, users can more effectively identify not only the best machine learning algorithm, but also the corresponding hyperparameter settings and feature selection methods appropriate for that algorithm, and hence achieve improved performance for their specific classification or regression task.
Evaluation of the shelf-life extension of fresh-cut pineapple (Smooth cayenne) by application of different edible coatings

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the shelf-life of minimally processed pineapple when subjected to the use of different edible coatings. Design/methodology/approach The pineapples were peeled and cut into cubes. The gums were prepared by dissolving them in distilled water and then heated to total dissolution. After calcium chloride, citric acid and ascorbic acid and glycerol were added in the solutions. The pieces of pineapple were completely submerged in the respective solutions and then drained. Four treatments were obtained, namely: T1 – control treatment (pineapple without coating); T2 – pectin; T3 – tara; T4 – xanthan. The cubes were stored in PET by 12 days at 4±1°C. Analyzes were carried out of mass loss, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, microbiological and sensory analysis. Findings It was possible to observe that the use of evaluated coatings was efficient to maintain the conservation of minimally processed pineapple in all analyzes, when compared with the control sample. The treatment with tara gum showed the best results to those obtained by the other studied gums. Practical implications The study may help small-scale establishments to increase the shelf-life of minimally processed pineapple. Originality/value Tara gum reduced the mass loss, delayed the microbial growth and maintained the sensorial quality of minimally processed pineapples for a longer time.
Management Information Systems Issues: Co-Citation Analysis of Journal Articles

This study aimed to analyze and identify key issues being studied in leading Management Information Systems (MIS) journals collected in an ISI database. With the help of co-citation analysis and factor analysis, thirteen core issues were identified, including: (1) Technology Acceptance; (2) Information Technology (IT), Organization Performance, and Competitive Advantage; (3) IT and Organizational Structure; (4) Case Study and Methodology Issues; (5) Trust Issues in IT; (6) Knowledge Management; (7) Measurement Issues in MIS study; (8) Diffusion of Innovation; (9) Success Factors of IT; (10) Research Modeling and Approach; (11) Theory, Research and Practice; (12) MIS as an academic discipline; and (13) Enterprise Information Systems. These results can help MIS researchers and practitioners gain a better awareness of core and significant issues being studied in the field. To cite this document: Wen-Lung Shiau, Shu-Yi Chen, and Yu-Cheng Tsai, "Management information systems issues: Co-citation analysis of journal articles", International Journal of Electronic Commerce Studies, Vol.6, No.1, pp.145-162, 2015. Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi. org/10.7903/ijecs.1393
Wage bargaining, labor market institutions and business cycles

ZUBEYIR KILINC: Wage Bargaining, Labor Market Institutions and Business Cycles. (Under the direction of Richard Froyen.) This dissertation investigates the impacts of labor market institutions on the business cycles. The first chapter builds a DSGE search and match model that can capture the labor market facts and explain the business cycle facts within a tractable framework. The basic framework incorporates labor market frictions to the standard new Keynesian model and extends it with staggered wage contracts. The empirical performance of the model is tested by the impulse responses of the key macroeconomic variables to a monetary policy shock. It shows that incorporating search and matching frictions and a bargaining framework into the baseline new Keynesian model can generate a lower response for inflation and the real wage to a monetary policy shock and can explain some of the labor market facts simultaneously. The second chapter analyzes the effects of alternative labor market institutions on the responses of key macroeconomic variables. It considers severance payments, unemployment benefits and worker’s bargaining power. The impulse responses of key macroeconomic variables are derived under alternative parameterizations for these institutions. It finds that the severance payments do not have an impact on the responses. Increasing the unemployment benefits makes key macroeconomic variables less responsive to disturbances where increasing worker’s bargaining power makes output more responsive and inflation less responsive to macroeconomic shocks. Third chapter explores the differences between the characteristics of the business cycles in the US and the euro area. It first compares the features of the business cycles dated by the NBER and CEPR; then, it looks at the characteristics of the business cycles derived from the real GDP and industrial production. It finds that although the results of a comparison of the features of the business cycles of the US and the euro area differ depending on the time period
Automatic detection of avalanches combining array classification and localization

Abstract. We used continuous data from a seismic monitoring system to automatically determine the avalanche activity at a remote field site above Davos, Switzerland. The approach is based on combining a machine learning algorithm with array processing techniques to provide an operational method capable of near real-time classification. First, we used a recently developed method based on hidden Markov models (HMMs) to automatically identify events in continuous seismic data using only a single training event. For the 2016–2017 winter period, this resulted in 117 events. Second, to eliminate falsely classified events such as airplanes and local earthquakes, we implemented an additional HMM-based classifier at a second array 14 km away. By cross-checking the results of both arrays, we reduced the number of classifications by about 50 %. In a third and final step we used multiple signal classification (MUSIC), an array processing technique, to determine the direction of the source. As snow avalanches recorded at our arrays typically generate signals with small changes in source direction, events with large changes were dismissed. From the 117 initially detected events during the 4-month period, our classification workflow removed 96 events. The majority of the remaining 21 events were on 9 and 10 March 2017, in line with visual avalanche observations in the Davos region. Our results suggest that the classification workflow presented could be used to identify major avalanche periods and highlight the importance of array processing techniques for the automatic classification of avalanches in seismic data.
A cascadable 200 GOPS motion estimation chip for HDTV applications

A flexible block matching motion estimation chip is described with variable sized blocks between 8/spl times/8 and 32/spl times/32 pixels. Each chip performs block matching with a search area of /spl plusmn/15 vertically and horizontally for a block size of 32/spl times/32. For larger search areas devices can be cascaded. Besides full search, fast algorithms can be emulated. Sub-pel precision motion vectors can be calculated using a smaller search area or cascading devices. The chip will have a computational power of more than 200 GOPS and a die size of 170 mm/sup 2/ in an 0.5-/spl mu/m CMOS technology.
The Effect of Gelfoam Impregnated With Botulinum Toxin on Allergic Rhinitis

Introduction: This study evaluated the effect of gelfoam impregnated with botulinum toxin on the symptoms induced by allergic rhinitis. Materials and Methods: In total, 30 patients with allergic rhinitis who did not respond to common therapies were included in this clinical trial study. All patients were treated with intranasal gelfoam impregnated with botulinum toxin type a (40 unit in each side) placed in the middle meatus of each nostril. The main symptoms of allergic rhinitis were scored from zero to three by the patients. Symptoms recorded and compared before and two months after the treatment. Result: The mean age of patients was 31.03±6.9 years. The mean score for sneezing was 2.23 before the treatment which significantly decreased to 1.06 after the treatment (P<0.05). The mean scores of rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and nasal itching were 2.53, 2.03, and 1.93, respectively, before the treatment which significantly decreased to 0.93, 1, and 0.8 after the treatment (P<0.05). No reported side effects was observed in this study. Conclusion: According to the results, treatment with gelfoam impregnated with botulinum toxin is an effective and safe method in patients who have not responded to common therapies for allergic rhinitis. Accordingly, it is recommended to relieve symptoms in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis in order to maintain the effectiveness of this treatment at least 8 weeks.
High School Students’ Scientific Literacy Profile Based on Scientific Literacy Assessments (SLA) Instruments

Research on the profile of high school students’ scientific literacy, aimed to reveal high school students’ ability based on scientific literacy aspects of cognitive and affective domain according to Scientific Literacy Assessment (SLA) instruments. This study used descriptive method. Based on SLA, high school students’ scientific literacy average in cognitive domain was considered as very poor (52.6), whereas in affective domain was considered as sufficient (62.5). In cognitive domain, aspect of scientific literacy with the lowest students’ mastery was scientific thinking and doing, while the highest was science and society. The lowest students’ mastery of scientific literacy aspect in affective domain was self-efficacy, while the highest was value of science. Keywords:Scientific Literacy, Scientific Literacy Assesments (SLA)
Simplicity in perceptual organization

Perceptual organization is the neuro-cognitive process that takes the light in our eyes as input and that enables us to interpret scenes as structured wholes consisting of objects arranged in space wholes which, moreover, usually are sufficiently veridical to guide action. This automatic process may seem to occur effortlessly, but by all accounts, it must be very complex and yet very flexible. To organize meaningless patches of light into meaningfully structured wholes within (literally) the blink of an eye, it must combine a high combinatorial capacity with a high speed (notice that a recognition model that tests previously stored templates against the visual input might avoid the combinatorics but would not achieve the required speed). To give a gist (following Gray, 1999, but many others have argued similarly), multiple sets of features at multiple, sometimes overlapping, locations in a stimulus must be grouped simultaneously. This implies that the process must cope with a large number of possible combinations in parallel, which also suggests that these possible combinations are engaged in a stimulus-dependent competition between grouping criteria. Hence, the combinatorial capacity of the perceptual organization process must be very high. This, together with its high speed (it completes in the range of 100-300 ms), reveals the truly impressive nature of the perceptual organization process.
Does gender difference have an effect in the academic achievements of undergraduate studentsÃ¢ÂÂ and later as interns? A single medical collegeexperience, Taibah University, KSA.

Background: There is a difference in the method of evaluation of undergraduates and interns. Meanwhile undergraduate evaluation is mainly academic, interns' evaluation depends on both academic and personal qualities. Objectives: To study male and female academic achievement as undergraduates and interns, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Saudi Arabia. Method: All the interns’ transcripts and internship rotation evaluation for those graduated between 2014 and 2015 have been retrospectively reviewed together with their corresponding undergraduate marks and GPA (The grade point averages) in four major specialties namely: internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology. Results were presented as percentage, mean ± SD. χ2 and Student’s t-tests and binary correlation were used. Results: Regarding surgery and paediatrics undergraduate percent grades, there was a significant gender difference; where p=0.049 and 0.048 respectively. During internship rotations, the only gender significant difference was for paediatrics (p=0.012) There was a significant gender difference for GPA, where mean ± SD for males=3.7 ± 0.058, for females=3.9 ± 0.52; p=0.031) Conclusions: the performance of male and female interns did not differ neither in their undergraduate study nor in the rotations except in general surgery and pediatric. There is slight but significant better female medical students’ education achievement compared to male.
Throughput performance of direct spread Slotted-Aloha packet networks

The throughput performance of direct spread Slotted-Aloha systems is evaluated and compared with the normalized throughput of a narrowband system to determine the extent to which the 'softer' collision characteristics of the spread system can improve throughput. This paper simulates a DS/SSMA packet network using the Signal Processing Workstation software. The packet throughput of a rate 1/2 convolutionally coded DS/SSMA Slotted Aloha packet network, using soft decision Viterbi decoding, is determined and compared to the existing analytical results. The simulations show the 'so called' Improved Gaussian Approximation (IGA) does indeed provide accurate results for an uncoded system. However, when soft decision Viterbi decoding is used, the channel exhibits a decrease in performance of approximately 0.5 dB compared to the results predicted by the IGA model. Despite this, the simulations show the DS/SSMA Slotted-Aloha system can support more traffic than an equivalent narrowband network. The throughput of the direct spread channel is approximately 50 percent for packet lengths of approximately 1000 bits and 70 percent for packet lengths on the order of 100 bits. (Author)
ICT and the Sustainability of World Heritage Sites. Analysis of Senior Citizens’ Use of Tourism Apps

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and applications (apps) for tourists are key tools for the sustainability of World Cultural Heritage Sites (WCHS). Their integration into tourism marketing strategies poses challenges regarding the satisfaction of the expectations of the target stakeholders, particularly senior tourists, people aged 60 and over. This paper adopts an exploratory and descriptive approach that combines qualitative techniques (focus groups), to study the use senior citizens make of ICT and tourism apps, with quantitative ones. In this sense, content analysis has been performed on a sample of tourism apps. The results reveal that ICT are essential tools for senior tourists and positively influence tourists’ final perception of the travel experience. The analysis of these mobile apps shows that they meet the expectations of senior tourists, who constitute a relevant generation for cultural tourism and are of special interest for the sustainability of WCHS. The configuration and development of these tools must be adapted to this generation, which we call Generation W.
A Readability Evolution of Narratives in Annual Reports

Previous research on the readability of annual reports is based mainly on English narratives and has found them difficult to read. Although the results of such research cannot be generalized to different contexts, accounting narratives written in non-English languages have seldom been analyzed in this respect. More important, few studies have longitudinally examined the evolution in readability of such narratives. This study focuses on the readability evolution of annual report narratives written in Spanish, applying an adapted version of the Flesch readability formula to two sets of documents from different companies over most of the years of the 20th century. The results confirm that the reports are indeed difficult to read but show an improvement in readability over the years. The study tested several variables that might influence readability, including profitability.