Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AN INTER-COMPARISON OF RAINDROP SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS RETRIEVED FROM POLARIMETRIC RADAR PARAMETERS

In precipitating systems, the drop-size distribution (DSD) is critical for characterization of the microphysical processes responsible for the development of the precipitation. In addition, the DSD and its moments form the basis of measurable parameters such as radar reflectivity factor and rainfall rate, and as such a great deal of effort has gone into methods for measuring, modeling, and understanding the properties and evolution of DSDs. One of the main methods for exploring the DSD is to analyze the fallspeed spectrum recorded by a vertically pointing Doppler profiling radar, but the relative paucity of profiling radar systems as well as the planned dual-polarization upgrade to the existing WSR-88D network indicates the need to develop methods of extracting the DSD from polarimetric measurands. Central Oklahoma provides an ideal test bed for such research due to the presence of a prototype polarimetric weather radar near the University of Oklahoma campus (hereafter referred to as KOUN), an operational NEXRAD WSR-88D installation at Twin Lakes (KTLX), as well as a 915-MHz wind profiler (OU profiler) and 2-D video disdrometer (2DVD) located at the University of Oklahoma’s Kessler Farm Field Laboratory (KFFL Chilson et al. (2007)), a remote instrumentation site in McClain county. The Oklahoma Mesonet, a network of 117 remote hydrometeorological observing stations spread across the state (Brock et al. 1995), also allows for high spatial and temporal resolution surface observations.
ENERGY-BASED SEISMIC DESIGN METHODOLOGY : A PRELIMINARY APPROACH

By using energy-based methods to design earthquake-resistant structures, the effect of seismic action in terms both of force and displacement demands is taken into account, as well as the cumulative effect of damage produced by cyclic loading. Energy-based methods are effective tools for seismic design, especially when control techniques such as base isolation or energy dissipation systems are used to protect the structure. Although they were established in the 1950’s, design methods based on the energy balance equation require further investigation and development for use in the framework of a Performance Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE) design approach. In particular, research efforts should address the characterization of uncertainties of the energy-based parameters involved in the design process. This paper proposes an energy-based general methodology to design seismic-resistant structures according to a PBEE approach. Ground motion prediction equations and optimal intensity measures to be applied within the proposed methodology are discussed, as well as ongoing research on key parameters used in energy-based methods such as the equivalent number of cycles and the shear strength coefficient.
Guidelines for the Minimally Invasive Treatment of Adrenal Pathology

Dimitrios Stefanidis, MD, PhD, Melanie Goldfarb, MD, Kent W. Kercher, MD, William W. Hope, MD, William Richardson, MD, Robert D. Fanelli, MD Dimitrios Stefanidis, MD, PhD: Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA Melanie Goldfarb, MD: University of Southern California,Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA Kent W. Kercher, MD: Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte,NC, USA William Hope, MD, South East Area Health Education Center, Wilmington, NC, USA William Richardson, MD: Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA, USA Robert D. Fanelli, MD: Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield, MA, USA
A 12.6 mW, 573–2901 kS/s Reconfigurable Processor for Reconstruction of Compressively Sensed Physiological Signals

This article presents a reconfigurable processor based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm for reconstructing compressively sensed physiological signals. The architecture is flexible to support physiological ExG [electrocardiography (ECG), electromyography (EMG), and electroencephalography (EEG)] signal with various signal dimensions (128, 256, 384, and 512). Data characteristics are utilized to substantially reduce the overall hardware complexity by up to 99%. A 16<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> folded architecture achieves a 64% area-power product reduction compared with the unfolded one. A customized buffer is used for multi-word access, which reduces data latency by four times. It dissipates 75% less power with only 25% area when compared with the realization with conventional flip-flops. As a proof of concept, a reconfigurable processor for reconstructing ExG signals is presented. Fabricated in a 40-nm CMOS technology, the processor integrates 3.69-M gates in 3.23 mm<sup>2</sup>. The chip delivers a throughput of 573–2901 kSamples/s (kS/s) for ExG signals and dissipates less than 12.6 mW at 87 MHz from a 0.60-V supply. Compared with state-of-the-art designs, the chip achieves a 1.5-to-14<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> higher throughput with 3.2-to-11<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> less energy, given the performance specification [reconstruction signal-to-noise ratio (RSNR) ≥ 15 dB].
Fungicide application and host-resistance for potato late blight management : benefits assessment from on-farm studies in S . W . Uganda

Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most significant constraints to potato production in Uganda and other regions of the world. Fungicides and host plant resistance are among the most efficient control options available to growers. Field trials were conducted in 1999 and 2000 in South-western Uganda to evaluate the cost effectiveness of fungicide application regimes on six potato varieties. A factorial experiment with five fungicide application intervals (weekly, fortnightly, IPM, no spray and farmers’ practice) and six potato varieties was established. Late blight infection was prevalent in both years, and a significant amount of disease was detected (Po0:05). Application of fungicide treatments considerably reduced late blight progress, with a corresponding increase in tuber yield. Based on monitoring of late blight disease occurrence and weather variables, two applications of the contact fungicide mancozeb on a moderately resistant variety was the most economical. Marginal rates of return and net benefits were significantly affected by fungicide applications. In the IPM treatment, late blight disease monitoring or scouting prior to first fungicide applications resulted in significant economic gains compared to scheduled applications of weekly and biweekly or no application (control) treatments. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Concurrent measurements of danger zone anatomy in mandibular first molars using micro-computed tomography : a pilot study

The aim of this study is to describe the anatomical characteristics of the ‘danger zone’ in human mandibular first molars by measuring the thickness of the bending point (point α) and the thinnest point (point β) of each root in human mandibular first molars. Eighteen mandibular first molars were scanned by micro-computed tomography and reconstructed three-dimensionally by Mimics Research 17.0. To identify characteristics of the ‘danger zone’, the actual root curvature, the minimal dentin thickness of the bending slice and the thinnest slice were selected as parameters. Furthermore, to describe the relationship of point α and point β, the distance between them was also measured. The results showed that the actual canal curvatures in the mandibular first molars were 5-10 degrees larger than those measured in 2-D images including X-ray or CBCT. The thinnest thickness of roots in all canals was less than 1 mm except the two distal roots of three-rooted mandibular first molars. Moreover, as for some two-rooted mandibular first molars, their point α and point β were located in the same furcation surface of root, the result might be coincident in the mesiolingual side; whereas for three-rooted mandibular first molars, the distal two canals were found significantly thicker than the mesial two (p<0.05). These results suggest that mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals of mandibular first molars require more conservative preparation plans to avoid root canal perforations. Considering dentin thickness and root curvature, distobuccal canals might be more suitable for preparation.
1 Dungeons in action-adventure games

The construction of dungeons in typical action-adventure computer games entails composing a complex arrangement of structural and temporal dependencies. It is not simple to generate dungeons with correct lock-and-key structures. In this paper we sketch a controllable approach to building graph-based models of acyclic dungeon levels via declarative constraint solving, that is capable of satisfying a range of hard gameplay and design constraints. We use a quantitative expressive range analysis to characterise the initial output of the system, present an example of the degree to which the output may be altered, and show a comparison with an alternate approach.
Innovation in Service Ecosystems

We apply service-dominant (S-D) logic and its service-ecosystems perspective as a means for reconceptualizing innovation through a broader and deeper perspective. More specifically, we argue that a service-ecosystems perspective enables researchers and managers to consider the interactions among a full range of actors and processes involved in value creation. This systemic perspective helps to shed light on the processes and practices that are foundational to the formation and re-formation of technologies and markets. Importantly, a service-ecosystems view broadens the scope of innovation to include the social structures (i.e., institutions) that guide and are guided by the actions and interactions among multiple actors.
Running head : IMPROVING PERFORMANCE THROUGH LOSS AVERSION 1 Improving Student Performance Through Loss Aversion

Framing an outcome as a loss causes individuals to expend extra effort to avoid that outcome (Tversky & Kahneman, 1991). Since classroom performance is a function of student effort in search of a higher grade, we seek to use loss aversion to encourage student effort. This field quasi-experiment endows students with all of the points in the course upfront, then deducts points for each error throughout the semester. Exploiting two course sequences in the business school of a Midwestern university, a control for domain-specific knowledge, this study examines the impact of loss aversion when controlling for the student’s knowledge in a specific subject. This quasi-experiment indicates that students perform three to four percentage points better when controlling for student ability and domain knowledge (148 subjects). This result is significant at the 1% level in our most robust specification (p = 0.0020). This result is confirmed by a specification including four courses and controlling for student characteristics (217 subjects, p = 0.0190).
Classifying natural forests using LiDAR data

In forestry, natural forests are forest areas with high biodiversity, in need of preservation. The current mapping of natural forests is a tedious task that requires manual labor that could possibly be automated. In this paper we explore the main features used by a random forest algorithm to classify natural forest and managed forest in northern Sweden. The goal was to create a model with a substantial strength of agreement, meaning a Kappa value of 0.61 or higher, placing the model in the same range as models produced in previous research. We used raster data gathered from airborne LiDAR, combined with labeled sample areas, both supplied by the Swedish Forest Agency. Two experiments were performed with different features. Experiment 1 used features extracted using methods inspired from previous research while Experiment 2 further added upon those features. From the total number of used sample areas (n=2882), 70% was used to train the models and 30% was used for evaluation. The result was a Kappa value of 0.26 for Experiment 1 and 0.32 for Experiment 2. Features shown to be prominent are features derived from canopy height, where the supplied data also had the highest resolution. Percentiles, kurtosis and canopy crown areas derived from the canopy height were shown to be the most important for classification. The results fell short of our goal, possibly indicating a range of flaws in the data used. The size of the sample areas and resolution of raster data are likely important factors when extracting features, playing a large role in the produced model’s performance.
Links between High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Pulse Wave Analysis in Middle-Aged Patients with Hypertension and High Normal Blood Pressure

Arterial stiffness and arterial age provide valuable prognostic cardiovascular information. The present study aimed at assessing the levels of vitamin D, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) in a group of middle-aged hypertensive patients and their relationship with pulse wave velocity (PWV), central blood pressure, and early arterial aging (EAA), respectively. A total of 56 patients, aged 48 ± 6 years, 57% males, with hypertension and high normal blood pressure (HNBP), were investigated using a Mobile-O-Graph, to assess central and peripheral blood pressure, PWV, and arterial age. Additionally, hsCRP, LDL, oxLDL, and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 were assessed. PWV, 25-hydroxy vitamin D3, hsCRP, oxLDL, and LDL levels were 7.26 ± 0.69 m/s, 25.99 ± 11.17 microg/l, 0.48 ± 0.44 mg/dl, 261.37 ± 421 ng/ml, and 145.73 ± 39.53 mg/dl, respectively. Significant correlations were obtained between oxLDL and pulse pressure amplification (rS = −0.347, p = 0.028) and between hsCRP and LDL levels with PWV and EAA, respectively. ROC curve analysis revealed that hsCRP is a sensitive and specific predictor of EAA and increased PWV values. Concluding, vitamin D deficiency and increased hsCRP and LDL values are very common, and high oxidized LDL is related to pulse pressure amplification in patients with elevated blood pressure. Vitamin D level and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and LDL provide valuable information in middle-aged hypertensive and HNBP patients related to arterial stiffness and early arterial aging, but only hsCRP is a sensitive predictor of EAA and PWV.
Treatment based on audiometric configuration and prognostic factors for sudden sensorineural hearing loss by regression analysis

Objective: To investigate the viability of classifying sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) by audiometric configuration. Methods: Patients (530 ears) with SSNHL were classified as hearing loss (HL) types, A-D: A, SSNHL at low frequencies; B, SSNHL at middle-high frequencies; C, SSNHL at all frequencies (PTA ≤ 80 dB HL); and D, profound SSNHL at all frequencies (PTA ≥ 81 dB HL). Patients were treated with regimens dependent on HL type. Analyses included association of treatment outcomes with HL type, symptoms, age, concomitant disease, and timing of treatment. Results: Five hundred and one patients (530 ears) were recruited, including 248 men and 253 women. The short-term effective rates after treatment were 72.52% for type A, 40.00% for type B, 46.07% for type C, and 58.71% for type D; these differences were significant. The univariate logistic regression analysis showed 4 factors related to the therapeutic effect of SSNHL treatment: age, type of audiometric curve, affected side, and time from onset to intervention. The multivariate logistic analysis indicated 4 independent risk factors associated with therapeutic effect: age, type of audiometric curve, affected side, and time from onset to intervention. Conclusions: The outcome of treatment for SSNHL may be closely related to the HL type based on audiometric results. The efficacy of treatment is improved if applied within 7 days of onset. The selection of treatment for SSNHL can benefit from reference to the type of audiometric curve.
Delegation and Performance of Franchise Relationships

Franchisors empower franchisees to take decisions on a bundle of management issues. This autonomy produces counter effects: While it allows capitalizing on franchisee local knowledge, it can also deteriorate system homogeneity. This papers aims to assess a wise assignment of these rights to enhance performance, particularly, the reduction of early terminations promoted by the franchisor. To these end, it studies the direct effects of delegating a number of decisions (pricing, human resource practices, assortment decoration and local advertising) of the number of early terminations. Moreover, the paper tests the moderating effects of the value of brand name and of the tacitness of the value transferred to franchisees on these variables. Results support that delegation of pricing decisions increases terminations within the chain whereas delegation of decisions related to assortment and local advertising tend to diminish early terminations. Moreover, this effect is more pronounced the larger is the chain, except for local advertising. Delegation of local advertising reduces terminations and delegation of pricing tends to increase them regardless the size of the system.
Effects of Dietary Grit Fed on the Utilization of Rumen Content by Pullet Chicks

Two hundred and forty harco pullet chicks were fed eight experimental diets which lasted for 56 days. The study was design to determine the effects of grits inclusion on the utilization of rumen content by pullet chicks. There were eight (8) dietary treatments, in which rumen content (RC) was included at graded levels of 0,10,15 and 20% and two levels of grit (0 and 5%) that is 4 by 2 factorial experiment. The feed intake by pullet chicks on all the RC diets were comparable (P>0.05) and significantly higher (P<0.05) than the intake by chicks on the control diet. There was reduced (P<0.05) feed intake with the 5% grit inclusion in feed. Body weight gain kept decreasing (P<0.05) as the level of RC increased in the diet. Feed to gain ratio were comparable for chicks fed on the RC diets, although the chicks fed the control had significantly better (P<.0.05) feed to gain ratio. Chicks on the 5% grit diets had better (P<0.05) feed to gain ratio that those on the 0% grit diets. Profitability increased as the level of RC increased in the diets with chicks fed the 20% RC diets giving a profitability of 40.19%, also the chicks fed the 5% grit tended to give a better profitability of 40.03%. The protein retention value for chicks decreased (P<0.05) as the level of RC increased in the diets. The chicks fed the 5% grit diets had better (P<0.05) protein retention value.
Investigating Commercial Capabilities and Trust in Social Media Applications for Entrepreneurs

This study attempts to present sellers' behaviours and activities in social commerce within the context of a local social group. It describes how the sale and marketing of homemade products, or imported goods, are conducted in Saudi Arabia using social media platforms (Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, and Snapchat) as well as using offline tools such as phones, family and friend recommendations, and events. We interviewed 17 female entrepreneurs who own e-shops on social media applications. The research describes how sellers try to market themselves and build their reputation to gain consumer trust despite a lack of commercial functionality within the social platforms that they use. This paper presents insights into new opportunities for peers and business owners that social commerce can bring. We also argue that social media applications can expand their uptake from businesses and entrepreneurs by designing functionality aimed at improving their commercial capabilities, and aimed at enabling sellers to build their own reputation and trust.
Climate Change Challenges , Smallholder Commercialization and Progress out Poverty in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, smallholder farmers’ commercialization and integration into the market has been one of the policy directions to ensure households’ progress out of poverty and maintain the sustainable development trajectory. A lot of progress has been made in this endeavor over the past couple of decades. However, market participation and degrees of commercialization still remained unsolved puzzle. This paper investigates smallholders’ market participation, degree of commercialization and the linkage to poverty reduction using a survey of 453 HH in central part of Ethiopia. Household Commercialization Index (HCI) approach was used to measure degree of commercialization, while a double hurdle regression model was employed to identify the key determinants for market participation and degree of commercialization. Then the relationship between commercialization and poverty was examined by using logistic regression. The result indicates that significant proportion of HHs was out of a product market and the degree of commercialization still remains very low. While poverty has opposite relationship to market participation, it was found to be better influenced by other factors than degree of commercialization. JEL Classification: Q01, Q12, Q16, Q18
Opportunistic Content Distribution Feasibility , Design and Performance Evaluation

Originally, the main purpose of the wired Internet was to interconnect hosts on different networks in order to allow them to communicate. Although this is still an important service, the Internet has evolved and today its predominant application is to provide its users with access to contents. This evolution is also taking place in the wireless domain and is to a large extent being pushed by advances in mobile platforms which now commonly have advanced multimedia capabilities. Today, contents are therefore both being consumed and produced by users on the move which calls for efficient dissemination of information to and from the mobile devices. This thesis considers content-centric networking, particularly in the context of mobile wireless networks. The main focus is on opportunistic distribution of content where mobile nodes directly exchange content items when they are within communication range. This opportunistic communication mode allows for networking in the absence of fixed infrastructure and it has several other benefits in terms of scalability, network-neutrality, locality and more. The contributions of this thesis lie in three areas. Firstly we study the feasibility of opportunistic content distribution among mobile nodes in urban areas using both analytic models and simulations. Our findings show that if nodes cooperate by sharing, even in a limited manner, content can spread efficiently in a number of common case scenarios. Secondly we present our design of PodNet: a middleware architecture for a mobile peer-to-peer content distribution. On the Internet, PodNet uses single source multicast to implement scalable and efficient delivery of published content to subscribers over the current unchanged Internet architecture. In the wireless domain, PodNet uses a decentralized content solicitation scheme that allows the distribution of content between mobile devices without requiring Internet connectivity and infrastructure support. Key components of the design are the content structure, multicast distribution, solicitation protocol, service discovery and an API based on the publish/subscribe paradigm. Thirdly we perform a thorough system evaluation to dimension important system parameters and to assess system performance. Our evaluation uses both experimental connectivity traces and a detailed simulator implementation that utilizes a realistic mobility model of pedestrians in an urban area.