Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The contribution of phonological and orthographic processing skills to adult ESL reading: Evidence from native speakers of Farsi

Abstract The present study investigated the role of phonological and orthographic processing skills in adult second language reading. The subjects were 60 ESL graduate students; all were native speakers of Farsi. Three types of ESL reading measures were used as criterion variables: reading comprehension, silent reading rate, and the ability to recognize individual words. Data were analyzed using correlational and hierarchical multiple regression. Efficiency in phonological and orthographic processing contributed significantly to individual differences on the reading measures. In particular, efficiency in orthographic processing contributed to the reading measures independently of syntactic and semantic measures. The study suggests that it is useful to consider individual differences in ESL reading with respect to individual differences in lower level processes – particularly the efficiency with which readers process phonological and orthographic information.
A Comparison of Four Item-Selection Methods for Severely Constrained CATs

This study compared four item-selection procedures developed for use with severely constrained computerized adaptive tests (CATs). Severely constrained CATs refer to those adaptive tests that seek to meet a complex set of constraints that are often not conclusive to each other (i.e., an item may contribute to the satisfaction of several constraints at the same time). The procedures examined in the study included the weighted deviation model (WDM), the weighted penalty model (WPM), the maximum priority index (MPI), and the shadow test approach (STA). In addition, two modified versions of the MPI procedure were introduced to deal with an edge case condition that results in the item selection procedure becoming dysfunctional during a test. The results suggest that the STA worked best among all candidate methods in terms of measurement accuracy and constraint management. For the other three heuristic approaches, they did not differ significantly in measurement accuracy and constraint management at the lower bound level. However, the WPM method appears to perform considerably better in overall constraint management than either the WDM or MPI method. Limitations and future research directions were also discussed.
Adversarial Occlusion-aware Face Detection

Occluded face detection is a challenging detection task due to the large appearance variations incurred by various real-world occlusions. This paper introduces an Adversarial Occlusion-aware Face Detector (AOFD) by simultaneously detecting occluded faces and segmenting occluded areas. Specifically, we employ an adversarial training strategy to generate occlusion-like face features that are difficult for a face detector to recognize. Occlusion is predicted simultaneously while detecting occluded faces and the occluded area is utilized as an auxiliary instead of being regarded as a hindrance. Moreover, the supervisory signals from the segmentation branch will reversely affect the features, helping extract more informative features. Consequently, AOFD is able to find the faces with few exposed facial landmarks with very high confidences and keeps high detection accuracy even for masked faces. Extensive experiments demonstrate that AOFD not only significantly outperforms state-of-the-art methods on the MAFA occluded face detection dataset, but also achieves competitive detection accuracy on benchmark dataset for general face detection such as FDDB.
Design and implementation of a platform for experimental testing and validation of analog-to-digital converters: static and dynamic parameters

This paper presents an implementation of a data acquisition system for analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) using “Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW)” as software for data analysis. The designed and implemented platform allows interaction with the device under test through means of data acquisition and instrument controls. Developing custom tests in LabVIEW can result in reduced test time, which in turn will help reduce costs in testing. This system was developed for evaluation purposes of ADC's static and dynamic parameters (gain error, offset error, DNL, INL, SNR, SINAD, IMD, etc.) using single and multi-frequency signals. The virtual control and analysis instrument was created in “LabVIEW” environment to control test signals generation and data acquisition. The testing performance of the platform is demonstrated using the classical ADC circuit “ADC0804”. A comparison with experimental results obtained by CANTEST platform from Bordeaux University (France) is also presented to highlight our platform.
Coupling between the environment and the pelagic resources exploited off northern Chile: ecosystem indicators and a conceptual model

The eastern boundary of the Chile-Peru Current System constitutes one of the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world, due largely to coastal upwelling and the horizontal advection of nutrients. In this ecosystem, El Nino events are of great importance in the interannual variability of the environment. A change was observed in the environmental regime at the beginning of the 1970s with the onset of the 1972- 1973 El Nino, marking an important decrease in the anchovy fishery (Engraulis ringens). After the mid-1970s, sardine (Sardinops sagax) landings increased noticeably. A second regime shift at the end of the 1980s was seen mostly in the noticeable recovery of anchovy and the decline of sardine. Herein, we present an integrated conceptual model of the different local and large-scale phenomena that affect the marine environment off northern Chile and the distribution and abundance of pelagic resources. The model considers an analysis of environmental and bio-fishery data on different scales and describes how the interdecadal (associated with re- gime shifts) and interannual (associated with El Nino events) fluctuations in the Equatorial Pacific are mani- fested in the eastern South Pacific and, therefore, in the northern zone off Chile, affecting the annual cycle, the dynamic of the coastal trapped waves, and coastal upwelling. In this framework, interdecadal fluctuations play an important role in the anchovy-sardine-anchovy replacement sequence.
A comparison of the feeding and grazing behaviour of primiparous Holstein-Friesian and Jersey × Holstein-Friesian dairy cows

Food intake and feeding behaviour of Holstein-Friesian (HF) and Jersey × HolsteinFriesian (J × HF) dairy cows (14 primiparous cows of each genotype) were measured during a 54-day confinement period [cows offered a complete diet comprising conserved forage and concentrates; 66:34 dry matter (DM) basis], while herbage intakes and grazing behaviour were measured on three occasions during a 96-day grazing period. Throughout the experiment HF cows had a higher milk yield than J × HF cows (P < 0.05), while fat + protein yield was unaffected by genotype. During the confinement period HF cows had a higher food intake than the J × HF cows (P < 0.01), although DM intake/kg metabolic live weight (live weight0.75) was unaffected by genotype. With the exception of the number of ruminating bouts/day (P < 0.05), and idling time/day (P < 0.05), both of which were highest with the J × HF cows, genotype had no significant effect on any of the feeding behaviours examined during the confinement period. Herbage intake did not differ between genotypes during the grazing period, although when expressed on a kg live weight0.75 basis, intakes were highest with the J × HF cows (P < 0.05). While the smaller J × HF cows had fewer grazing bouts per day (P < 0.01), the mean duration of each grazing bout was longer (P < 0.001), resulting in a longer total grazing time (P < 0.05) and a greater number of grazing bites each day (P < 0.01). The smaller crossbred cows had to ‘work harder’ during the grazing period to achieve the same intakes as the larger HF cows.
On the interpretation of the loading correction of the aethalometer

Abstract. Aerosol optical properties were measured with a seven-wavelength aethalometer and a three-wavelength nephelometer at the suburban site SORPES in Nanjing, China, in September 2013–January 2015. The aethalometer compensation parameter k, calculated with the Virkkula et al. (2007) method depended on the backscatter fraction, measured with an independent method, the integrating nephelometer. At λ = 660 nm the daily averaged compensation parameter k a 0.0017 ± 0.0002 and 0.0042 ± 0.0013 when backscatter fraction at λ = 635 nm was in the ranges of 0.100 ± 0.005 and 0.160 ± 0.005, respectively. Also, the wavelength dependency of the compensation parameter depended on the backscatter fraction: when b(λ = 525 nm) was less than approximately 0.13 the compensation parameter decreased with wavelength and at larger b it increased with wavelength. This dependency has not been considered in any of the algorithms that are currently used for processing aethalometer data. The compensation parameter also depended on the single-scattering albedo ω0 so that k decreased with increasing ω0. For the green light (λ = 520 nm) in the ω0 range 0.870 ± 0.005, the average (± standard deviation) k a 0.0047 ± 0.006 and in the ω0 range 0.960 ± 0.005, k a 0.0028 ± 0.0007. This difference was larger for the near-infrared light (λ = 880 nm): in the ω0 range 0.860 ± 0.005, k a 0.0055 ± 0.0023 and in the ω0 range 0.960 ± 0.005, k a 0.0019 ± 0.0011. The negative dependence of k on ω0 was also shown with a simple theoretical analysis.
An axisymmetric non-hydrostatic model for double-diffusive water systems

The three-dimensional (3-D) modelling of water systems involving double-diffusive processes is challenging due to the large computation times required to solve the flow and transport of constituents. In systems that approach axisymmetry around a central location, computation times can be reduced by applying a quasi 3-D axisymmetric model setup. This article applies the Navier-Stokes equations described in cylindrical coordinates, and integrates them to guarantee mass and momentum conservation. The discretized equations are presented in a way that a Cartesian finite volume model can be easily extended to this quasi 3-D framework, which is demonstrated by the implementation into a non-hydrostatic free-surface flow model. This model employs temperature and salinity dependent densities, molecular diffusivities, and kinematic viscosity. Four qualitative case studies demonstrate a good behaviour with respect to expected density and diffusivity driven flow and stratification in shallow water bodies. A fifth case study involves a new validation method that quantifies the radial expansion of a dense water layer developing from a central inflow at the bottom of a shallow water body.
Transit network design and scheduling using genetic algorithm – a review

The aim of this paper is to summarize the findings of research concerning the application of genetic algorithm in transit network design and scheduling. Due to the involvement of several parameters the design and scheduling of transit network by means of traditional optimization technique is very difficult. To overcome these problems, most of the researchers have applied genetic algorithm for designing and scheduling of transit network. After the review of various studies involved in design and scheduling of transit network using genetic algorithm, it was concluded that genetic algorithm is an efficient optimization technique.
Prevalence and Distribution of Root Caries in Chronic Liver Diseased Saudi Patients

Although root caries is found among patients of all ages, it demonstrates an increase in incidence with advancing age. Patients with liver diseases suffer from altered immunity and several disorders that may result in hyposalivation leading to dental caries. Patients with diagnosed viral and non-viral hepatitis were clinically examined for presence of root caries or filled root lesions and Root Caries Index was calculated for each patient. Demographic data and whole un- stimulated saliva collected over a recorded time at mid-morning were obtained and salivary flow rate for each patient was calculated. For 114 chronic liver diseased patients and 50 controls, the mean values of Root Caries Index were 2.50 and 0.34; whereas, the saliva flow rate values were 0.34 and 0.48, respectively. Root Caries Index increased with age, being higher among males than females 2.9, 2.3, respectively. The percentage of missing teeth was 45% and decayed teeth were 43%. In conclusion, root caries index was significantly correlated to age and gender with higher incidence among male patients, and in the buccal surface of posterior teeth.
Congruences in regular categories

Se investiga la composicion de congruencias en categorias regulares y se demuestra, entre otros resultados, que la condicion de Lawvere (toda relacion de equivalencia es una congruencia) es equivalente en tales categorias a cualquiera de las siguientes propiedades: (i) la compuesta de congruencias que conmutan es una congruencia, (ii) un morfismo regular con congruencia r envia toda congruencia que conmuta con r a una congruencia en la imagen, (iii) cualquier par de morfismos regulares con congruencias que conmutan y tienen interseccion trivial posee un "pushout" que es simultaneamente un "pullback". Con lo anterior es posible caracterizar las categorias regulares en las que la compuesta de congruencias es siempre una congruencia, generalizando asi hechos bien conocidos del Algebra Universal.
MacNet: Transferring Knowledge from Machine Comprehension to Sequence-to-Sequence Models

Machine Comprehension (MC) is one of the core problems in natural language processing, requiring both understanding of the natural language and knowledge about the world. Rapid progress has been made since the release of several benchmark datasets, and recently the state-of-the-art models even surpass human performance on the well-known SQuAD evaluation. In this paper, we transfer knowledge learned from machine comprehension to the sequence-to-sequence tasks to deepen the understanding of the text. We propose MacNet: a novel encoder-decoder supplementary architecture to the widely used attention-based sequence-to-sequence models. Experiments on neural machine translation (NMT) and abstractive text summarization show that our proposed framework can significantly improve the performance of the baseline models, and our method for the abstractive text summarization achieves the state-of-the-art results on the Gigaword dataset.
Fidelity of Analytic Drop Size Distributions in Drizzling Stratiform Clouds Based on Large-Eddy Simulations

Abstract Cloud microphysical parameterizations and retrievals rely heavily on knowledge of the shape of drop size distributions (DSDs). Many investigations assume that DSDs in the entire or partial drop size range may be approximated by known analytical functions. The most frequently employed approximations of function are of the type of gamma, lognormal, Khrgian–Mazin, and Marshall–Palmer. At present, little is known about the accuracy of these approximations. The authors employ a DSD dataset generated by the Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies Large-Eddy Simulation (CIMMS LES) explicit microphysics model for stratocumulus cases observed during the Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) field project. The fidelity of analytic lognormal- and gamma-type DSD functions is evaluated according to how well they represent the higher-order moments of the drop spectra, such as precipitation flux and radar reflectivity. It is concluded that for boundary layer marine drizzling st.
Studies on effect of growth factor on morphological, chemical and pulp and paper making characteristics and its impact on fluff generation

The dearth of cellulosic fibers has compelled the paper technocrats to search for high yielding and fast growing trees. Leucaena leucocephala has solved the manifold purposes of both farmers as well as paper manufacturers. However, paper manufacturers face the serious problem of fluff in the drying section of paper machine with this furnish. L. leucocephala of the same species was cut after 2, 3 and 4 years and was analyzed for, morphological, chemical and pulp evaluation characteristics. The fibers of 2 and 3 years old of L. leucocephala are immature and consist of more non-fibrous elements i.e. vessels and parenchymatous cells. When such type of fibers are subjected to mechanical attrition for removal of primary wall, cause more fiber cuttings instead of fibrillation. The primary wall is permeable to water but does not participate in bond formation. These non-fibrous elements have larger surface area than fibers and their presence affects fiber bonding adversely. The loosely bonded fibers from the paper sheet adhere on press rolls or dryers during sheet making and contribute to fluff problem. L. leucocephala cut after 4 years of cultivation does not show fluff problem because of complete cellulose formation of fibers.
Sensitivity and resolution of tomographic pumping tests in an alluvial aquifer

Various investigators have proposed hydraulic tomography, the simultaneous analysis of responses to multiple well tests, as a means to obtain a high‐resolution characterization of aquifer flow properties. This study assesses the information content of drawdown records from a set of tomographic pumping tests in an alluvial aquifer, comparing the parameter sensitivity and resolution associated with transient and steady‐shape formulations of the objective function for the parameter estimation problem. The steady‐shape approach takes advantage of the rapid establishment of constant gradients within the region surrounding a pumping well, comparing observed drawdown differences within this region with drawdown differences predicted by a steady state model. Both the transient and steady‐shape approaches resolve K variations only within a limited distance of the pumping intervals and observation points. Relative to the transient approach, the steady‐shape approach reduces the influence of poorly resolved property variations, including K variations outside the region of investigation and storage coefficient variations throughout the model domain.
Evaluation of Performance of the Truncated Area Under Curve (AUC) as a Primary Pharmacokinetic Parameter in Bioequivalence Studies

Background and Objective: Prolonged pharmacokinetic sampling is a challenge for successful conduction of the bioequivalence studies for drugs having long elimination half-lives. The regulatory authorities have recommended an alternative to consider the partial AUC (AUC0-72) for studying bioequivalence. However, the results obtained from such truncated approach are not consistent and needs further exploration. We have investigated the suitability of truncated AUC in the fi eld of bioequivalence. Methods: The bioequivalence studies conducted with conventional approach for Bicalutamide, Topiramate and Amitriptyline having long elimination half-lives were investigated. The pharmacokinetic data obtained from these studies was truncated at 72hrs and 2 half-lives post dose. The 90% confi dence intervals constructed for the ratios of means of log-transformed partial AUC (at 72hrs and 2 half-lives post dose) were compared individually with those of the total AUC. The intra-subject variability obtained for partial AUC at 72hrs and 2 half-lives post dose was compared individually for percentage change from that of the total AUC. Results: No change in the study outcome irrespective of the point of truncation of AUC was observed. The 90% confi dence intervals constructed for the ratio of means of log-transformed partial AUC (at 72hrs and 2 half-lives post dose) were well within the acceptable bioequivalence criteria of 0.8-1.25. The intra-subject variability for AUC was not infl uenced irrespective of the point of truncation of AUC. Conclusion: Limiting the pharmacokinetic sample collection period to 72 hours in bioequivalence studies for the drugs having long elimination half-lives is equally accurate and sensitive alternative to the conventional approach.
Subjective well-being poverty vs. Income poverty and capabilities poverty?

Abstract The conventional approach of economists to the measurement of poverty is to use measures of income or consumption. This has been challenged by those who favour broader criteria, such as fulfilment of ‘basic needs’ and the ‘capabilities’ to be and to do things of intrinsic worth. This paper asks: to what extent are these different concepts measurable, to what extent are they competing or complementary, and is it possible for them to be accommodated within an encompassing framework? We conclude that it is possible to view subjective well-being as an encompassing concept, which permits us to quantify the relevance and importance of the other approaches and of their component variables. Any attempt to define poverty involves a value judgment as to what constitutes a good quality of life or a bad one. We argue that an approach which examines the individual's own perception of well-being is less imperfect, or more quantifiable, or both, as a guide to forming that value judgement than are the other potential approaches. The argument is illustrated using a South African household survey.
Improvement of the multimodality treatment of oesophageal cancer

Ewout Courrech Staal beschrijft diverse onderzoeken gericht op het verbeteren van de multidisciplinaire behandeling van slokdarmkanker. In het eerste deel van zijn proefschrift staan chemoradiotherapie en chirurgie centraal. In deel twee richt Courrech Staal zich op het gebruik van biomarkers in de behandeling van slokdarmkanker. In het derde en laatste deel komen kwaliteitsaspecten in de behandeling van slokdarmkanker aan de orde.
The density manifold and configuration space quantization

On developpe la structure geometrique differentielle d'une variete de Frechet de densites. Ceci fournit un cadre geometrique a la quantification reliee a la mecanique stochastique de Nelson. On etudie les structures riemanniennes et symplectiques de la variete densite et on deduit l'equation de Schrodinger a partir d'un principe variationnel
Positional Accuracy Assessment of Googleearth in Riyadh

ABSTRACT Google Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographical information program that is controlled by Google corporation. It maps the Earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite imagery, aerial photography and GIS 3D globe. With millions of users all around the globe, GoogleEarth® has become the ultimate source of spatial data and information for private and public decision-support systems besides many types and forms of social interactions. Many users mostly in developing countries are also using it for surveying applications, the matter that raises questions about the positional accuracy of the Google Earth program. This research presents a small-scale assessment study of the positional accuracy of GoogleEarth® Imagery in Riyadh; capital of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The results show that the RMSE of the GoogleEarth imagery is 2.18 m and 1.51 m for the horizontal and height coordinates respectively.