Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantum Behaved Particle Swarm Optimization with Neighborhood Search for Numerical Optimization

Quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization (QPSO) algorithm is a new PSO variant, which outperforms the original PSO in search ability but has fewer control parameters. However, QPSO as well as PSO still suffers from premature convergence in solving complex optimization problems. The main reason is that new particles in QPSO are generated around the weighted attractors of previous best particles and the global best particle. This may result in attracting too fast. To tackle this problem, this paper proposes a new QPSO algorithm called NQPSO, in which one local and one global neighborhood search strategies are utilized to balance exploitation and exploration. Moreover, a concept of opposition-based learning (OBL) is employed for population initialization. Experimental studies are conducted on a set of well-known benchmark functions including multimodal and rotated problems. Computational results show that our approach outperforms some similar QPSO algorithms and five other state-of-the-art PSO variants.
Impact of a program of induced stress therapy on the motor and functional recovery of the upper limb of hemiplegic patients in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Amac: Inme, onemli bir sakatlik sebebidir. Rehabilitasyonun bir sonucu olarak, hemiplejik hastalarin %80'i ozellikle iyilesmektedir, oysa sadece %28 ila %57'lik oranlarda kavrama iyilesmektedir. Bu calismanin amaci: induklenmis stres tedavisinin hemiplejik ust ekstremitenin motor ve fonksiyonel geri kazanim uzerindeki etkilerini degerlendirmek, induklenmis stres terapisine tabi tutulan hemiplejikler arasinda iyilesme hizini ve ust ekstremite otonomisini karsilastirmak ve stres terapisine maruz kalmamak ve ust ekstremite noromuskuler komplikasyonlarin ve bozukluklarin onlenmesinde bu tedavinin etkisini degerlendirmektir. Yontemler: Bu, Kinshasa Universitesi Kliniklerinde ve 6 ay boyunca Kinshasa Genel Referans Hastanesi'nde takip edilen 30 hemiplejik vaskuler hastada yapilan girisimsel bir calismadir. Iyilesme hizi Demeurisse motor indeksi ile degerlendirildi. Sonuclari karsilastirmak icin Pearson'un ki - kare degerini kullandik. Anlamlilik duzeyi p≤0.05 degeri icin kabul edildi. Bulgular: Olgularin yas ortalamasi 57.5 ± 10.5 yildi ve erkek agirligi %63.3 idi. Bu hastalarin cogunlugu memur (%23.3), tuccar (%16.7) ve ogretmen (%16.7), ust ekstremiteyi sik kullanan esnaflardir. 6 aylik yeniden egitimden sonra, strese bagli tedavi uygulanan hastalarda tonda belirgin bir artis gorulmezken (p = 0.34), karsilastirma grubunda tonus artisi cok anlamliydi (p = 0.01); Induklenmis stres tedavisi grubunda motor fonksiyonda cok onemli bir iyilesme (p = 0.001) ve karsilastirma grubu icin anlamli (p = 0.05) bir artis gozlendi. Agrinin ilerlemesi, induklenmis stres tedavisi grubuna (p = 0.02) ve induklenmis stres tedavisine maruz kalmayan hastalar icin negatif idi (p = 0.5). Sonuc: Bu calismanin sonucunda, vaskuler hemiplejik ust ekstremitede noro-motor bozukluklarin fonksiyonel iyilesmesinde ve onlenmesinde induklenmis stres tedavisinin etkili oldugu bulunmustur.
Hypertension in the elderly: an approach to medication adherence

Systemic arterial hypertension is a chronic disease of high prevalence in Brazil, considered a public health problem. The purpose of this study was to analyze medication adherence by the elderly, for this, a quantitative study was carried out with hypertensive patients enrolled in the Hiperdia program and attended in a Basic Health Unit at Sinop, Mato Grosso. Individual interviews were conducted with the elderly in the Family Health Strategy, at prescheduled time and place according to the patient's availability. The interview script was structured with simple, direct and easy-to-understand questions, involving three aspects: socio-demographic variables (gender, age and income), guided questions about the pathology in question (eating habits, physical exercises, drug therapy) and assessment of adherence to antihypertensive treatment. The data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and the prevalence coefficients were calculated. Fifteen elderly (50%) adherents to the drug treatment were identified, of whom 13 were female and only two were male, thus making evident that women seek more the public health service and adhere better to the treatment. Given this, it is necessary to seek strategies that allow greater adherence to treatment and that encourage the male gender to seek health services for constant monitoring and not only in extreme cases.
Analysis of the degree of cross-fertilization and auto-fertility and their impact on breeding faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cultivars grown in Sudan

In faba bean, the degree of cross-fertilization and auto-fertility is a crucial character in any breeding program. The degree of cross- and auto-fertility of four faba cultivars were assessed at three locations in Sudan, using hilum colour as a morphological marker. The variation between the cultivars and between locations for the degree of cross-fertilization was extremely small, which ranged from 10.6 to 12.7%. The degree of auto-fertility was high in the four cultivars, reaching up to 88%, therefore, line cultivar could be produced. As line cultivar has a risk of low yield stability, the search for plant traits that attract pollinating insects could contribute to increase cross-fertilization and as a result heterosis could be used for the improvement of cultivars. Otherwise, the floral biology of the bean plant should be manipulated towards full autogamy. Key words: Vicia faba L. , breeding, cross-fertilization, auto-fertility, line cultivar, bee pollinator.
DIATOMS OF TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT WATERCOURSES IN SOUTHERN EUROPE (PORTUGAL)

The potential importance of benthic diatoms in Mediterranean watercourses has received limited academic attention historically. This study sought to provide baseline information for this poorly studied group. Temporary and permanent watercourses in Portugal differ in catchment characteristics, climatic variables and water chemistry. The benthic diatom communities were characterized in terms of ecological preferences and conservation status for taxa with relative abundance above 1% in at least one site covering 39 temporary sites (109 taxa) and 53 permanent sites (130 taxa). The low‐profile guild dominated both temporary and permanent watercourses, followed by the high‐profile and motile guilds. Indicator value analysis indicated that Amphora copulata, Cocconeis placentula, Diploneis separanda, Encyonopsis subminuta, Fragilaria radians, Gomphonema olivaceum, Gomphonema truncatum, Halamphora veneta, Navicula radiosa, Navicula veneta, Sellaphora seminulum and Ulnaria acus were indicators of temporary watercourses, whereas Encyonema minutum, Eunotia minor, Fragilaria rumpens, Fragilaria cf. socia and Navicula rhynchocephala were characteristic of permanent watercourses. Ecological preferences of indicator taxa were inferred on the basis of environmental variables that differed significantly between temporary and permanent watercourses. The importance of temporary watercourses for the maintenance of diatom biodiversity is discussed and explored. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stochastic modelling of crack propagation in materials with random properties using isometric mapping for dimensionality reduction of nonlinear data sets

Fractures tend to propagate along the least resistance paths, and homogeneous‐based models may not be able to reliably predict the true crack paths, as they are not capable of capturing nonlinearities and local damage induced by local inhomogeneity. This paper presents a stochastic numerical modelling framework for simulating fracturing in natural heterogeneous materials. Fracture propagation is modelled using Francfort and Marigo's variational theory, and randomness in the material properties is introduced by random field principle. A computational strategy on the basis of nonlinear dimensionality reduction framework is developed that maps domain of spatially variable properties of the materials to a low‐dimensional space. This strategy allows us to predict the most probable fracture patterns leading to failure by an optimisation algorithm. The reliability and performance of the developed methodology are examined through simulation of experimental case studies and comparison of predictions with measured data.
Applying evidence in practice through small-group learning: a qualitative exploration of success

Background A particular approach to continuing professional development for general practitioners originated in Canada. The Canadian approach uses a modification of problem-based learning that is based on evidence-based medicine with facilitated small groups. Evidence-based modules are developed for discussion in a small group, where the group exists over an extended period of time. An evaluation of a pilot of the ‘practice-based small group learning’ (PBSG) approach in Scotland demonstrated enhanced participant knowledge and skills in evidence-based practice and small-group working. However, it is not known why PBSG was successful. Understanding this will help inform any further research and development of the approach for general practitioners and other professional groups.Aim The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of PBSG participants to gain an understanding of how PBSG learningachieves its success.Method A qualitative study of PBSG learning using one-to-one interviews.Results The small group format is an important factor in the success of the approach, along with the crucial role of the facilitator. Other factors include: the strong need among general practitioners to update their skills and compare their practice with that of peers; the inclusive nature of the small-group environment; the importance of creating a learning environment that is the right balance between being not too cosy but not too threatening; a recognition of the learning power of the group members instead of invited experts; the lack of trust among partners in practice and the lack of confidence of participants in their own skills as a facilitator. The findings highlight the importance of a learning environment conducive to learning and change, one that is based on honesty, openness and a willingness to acknowledge ignorance as a precursor to learning.
On the detection of characteristic optical emission from electronically coupled nanoemitters

Optical emission from an electronically coupled pair of nanoemitters is investigated, in a new theoretical development prompted by experimental work on oriented semiconductor polymer nanostructures. Three physically distinct mechanisms for photon emission by such a pair, positioned in the near-field, are identified: emission from a pairdelocalized exciton state, emission that engages electrodynamic coupling through quantum interference, and correlated photon emission from the two components of the pair. Each possibility is investigated, in detail, by examination of the emission signal via explicit coupling of the nanoemitter pair with a photodetector, enabling calculations to give predictive results in a form directly tailored for experiment. The analysis incorporates both near- and far-field properties (determined from the detector-pair displacement), so that the framework is applicable not only to a conventional remote detector, but also a near-field microscope setup. The results prove strongly dependent on geometry and selection rules. This work paves the way for a broader investigation of pairwise coupling effects in the optical emission from structured nanoemitter arrays.
Deep SOAR follow-up photometry of two Milky Way outer-halo companions discovered with Dark Energy Survey

We report the discovery of a new star cluster, DES 3, in the constellation of Indus, and deeper observations of the previously identified satellite DES J0222.7−5217 (Eridanus III). DES 3 was detected as a stellar overdensity in first-year Dark Energy Survey data, and confirmed with deeper photometry from the 4.1-m Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) telescope. The new system was detected with a relatively high significance and appears in the DES images as a compact concentration of faint blue point sources. We determine that DES 3 is located at a heliocentric distance of ≃76.2 kpc and it is dominated by an old (≃9.8 Gyr) and metal-poor ([Fe/H] ≃ −1.84) population. While the age and metallicity values of DES 3 are comparable to typical globular clusters (objects with a high stellar density, stellar mass of ∼10^5 M⊙ and luminosity M_V ∼ −7.3), its half-light radius (r_h ∼ 6.87 pc) and luminosity (M_V ∼ −1.7) are more indicative of faint star cluster. Based on the angular size, DES 3, with a value of r_h ∼ 0. ”31, is among the smallest faint star clusters known to date. Furthermore, using deeper imaging of DES J0222.7−5217 taken with the SOAR telescope, we update structural parameters and perform the first isochrone modelling. Our analysis yields the first age (≃12.6 Gyr) and metallicity ([Fe/H] ≃ −2.01) estimates for this object. The half-light radius (r_h ≃ 11.24 pc) and luminosity (M_V ≃ −2.4) of DES J0222.7−5217 suggest that it is likely a faint star cluster. The discovery of DES 3 indicates that the census of stellar systems in the Milky Way is still far from complete, and demonstrates the power of modern wide-field imaging surveys to improve our knowledge of the Galaxy’s satellite population.
Production of Bioplastic from Avocado Seed Starch Reinforced with Microcrystalline Cellulose from Sugar Palm Fibers

The influence of microcrystalline cellulose derived from sugar palm fibers and glycerol on the mechanical properties of bioplastics from avocado seed starch was studied. Sugar palm fibers underwent alkali treatment, bleaching, and hydrolysis with HCl to produce microcrystalline cellulose. Bioplastic was successfully fabricated through solution casting technique. It was prepared from [0] avocado seed starch and reinforced with MCC from sugar palm fibers with composition ratio of 6:4; 7:3, 8:2, and 9:1 (w/w). Glycerol functioned as plasticizer with variation of 0.1; 0.2; 0.3 and 0.4 (v/w of starch). [0] Microcrystalline cellulose was dissolved in NaOH 5% (w/v) before it was mixed with the plasticized starch. Microcrystalline cellulose degree of crystallinity determined by X-Ray Diffraction was 97.5%. Morphological analysis was done with Scanning Electron Microscope given that the isolated microcrystalline cellulose from sugar palm fibers are rod-like shaped with diameter of 5.55-9.44 μm and crystal size of 25.08 nm. Mechanical properties [0] of bioplastic were determined by tensile strength and elongation at break analysis where it is given that the best condition of bioplastics obtained is from 7:3 ratio with 0.2 (v/w) glycerol added which is 2.74 MPa for tensile strength and 3.16% for elongation at break. FT-IR analysis showed the functional groups of bioplastics, majority of O-H groups, that was found from the addition of microcrystalline cellulose that represented substantial hydrogen bonds.
KNOWLEDGE OF PRE-MARITAL GENETIC SCREENING AMONG STUDENTS OF OSUN STATE POLYTECHNICS IN NIGERIA

This study investigated the knowledge of pre-marital genetic screening among students of Osun State Polytechnics. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The instrument for data collection was self developed and structured questionnaire in four likert-scale format. Descriptive statistics of frequency count and simple percentage was used to analyse the demographic data, while the parametric statistics of t-test set at 0.05 alpha level was used to test the hypothesis. A total number of one thousand, one hundred and sixty-five (1,165) Higher National Diploma students served as respondents for the study. Multistage sampling technique was used in three stages, namely: purposive sampling technique was used to select the schools; stratified sampling technique was used to select the faculties, while proportionate sample of 25% was selected from each stratum. Two research questions were asked and a comprehensive hypothesis was formulated to guide the study. The value for difference in knowledge due to gender was obtained. Based on this, it was concluded that male students of Osun State Polytechnics have more knowledge of pre-marital genetic screening than their female counterparts. The study therefore recommended among other things that social expectations of individuals and communities should be assessed properly before setting programme goals.
Which Resources Are Most Important For A Successful SME Exporter

This paper shows that some firm resources are more important than others for a successful SME exporter. We include six resources grouped into three categories: domestic resources (human and technological resources), experience-related resources (organisational and international experience) and foreign resources (subsidiaries abroad and foreign shareholders). The results show that the most important resources for a successful SME exporter are its human resources, its international experience and the existence of subsidiaries abroad. However, the deployment of Internet-based technology and SME organisational experience are revealed as important resources in those firms with low or medium export volume. The underlying premise and contribution of this study is that SMEs with different levels of exports benefit differentially from their resources.
Inorganic solute accumulation in noni (Morinda citrifolia Linn) under salt stress during initial growth

Noni (Morinda citrifolia) is a fruit species which is well adapted to different soil and climate conditions, and may be a good option for farmers in arid and semi-arid regions. To evaluate the tolerance of noni plant in the initial phase to salinity and the accumulation of inorganic solutes in its organs, an experiment was carried out in a greenhouse under hydroponic system. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five levels of NaCl (0, 25, 50, 75 or 100 mM) in the nutrient solution, and four replicates. Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, dry matter of leaves, stems and roots, leaf area, leaf succulence, sclerophylly index and the contents of Na+, Cl- and K+ in different plant organs were evaluated after 40 days of stress. Salinity reduced the growth of all plant organs in the initial phase, in contrast, leaf succulence and sclerophylly index increased by 32% at the highest saline level, compared with control plants. The contents of Na+ and Cl- in leaves, stems and roots increased, while K+ contents decreased with the increment in salinity. The highest K+ contents were observed in the roots and the highest Na+ and Cl- contents were observed in the leaves. Salinity induced disturbances in the ionic homeostasis of noni plants, which can explain, at least in part, the salt-induced growth reduction. Key words: Salinity, sodium chloride, toxic ion.
Impact of Service Recovery on Customer Loyalty: A Study of E-Banking in Spain

The purposes of this study are twofold: (i) to propose and apply a scale to measure service recovery in the electronic banking (e-banking) sector; and (ii) to examine the relationship between service recovery and customer loyalty in the setting of e-banking services. An online questionnaire is used to survey 123 Spanish customers of e-banking services using a modified version of the E-RecS-QUAL scale. The data are analysed by exploratory factor analysis to: (i) test the applicability of the scale to the setting of online bank services: and (ii) generate a model including constructs for e-recovery and e-loyalty. The study reassures online banks that a modified version of the E-RecS-QUAL scale is an appropriate instrument for measuring service recovery. The study also provides empirical evidence that responsiveness to requests and complaints has a positive influence on e-loyalty. The study is the first to provide definitive empirical evidence of the presumed link between the recovery dimensions proposed in the E-RecS-QUAL scale and the construct of e-loyalty.
Effect of extruded full-fat soybeans on performance, amino acids digestibility, trypsin activity, and intestinal morphology in broilers

The influence of different levels of extruded full-fat soybean (EFFSB) in the diet on growth performance, apparent ileal amino acids digestibility (AIAAD), intestinal morphology, and trypsin activity in digesta of broilers was determined. In the first experiment, two-hundred sixty ROSS 308 male chickens were used to investigate the effect of EFFSB on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and trypsin activity in the digesta and AIAAD. Five dietary treatments were used, containing 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 g/kg of EFFSB. The experiment lasted from day 10 till day 38 of age. The inclusion of EFFSB at the level of 160 g/kg in the diet significantly ( P 0.05) differences in AIAAD between groups 80, 120, and 160. Villus height (groups 0: 966.2; 4: 852.1; 8: 792.6; 12: 836.3; 16: 926.7 µm) and crypt depth (groups 0: 160.1; 4: 134.8; 8: 122.9; 12: 129.5; 16: 134.6 µm) of ileum decreased with inclusion of EFFSB in the diet, but villi/crypt ratio increased. In the second experiment, male chickens ROSS 308 were divided into 4 groups with 2 replicates per 100 chicks each. The groups were fed 0, 40, 80, and 120 g/kg of EFFSB. The experiment lasted from day 10 till day 38 of age. Final body weight (2594 g in 0 group vs. 2624 g in 120 group) was not significantly ( P > 0.05) affected by the diet. The study showed that EFFSB at the level of 120 g/kg in grower broiler diet had no adverse effect on performance.
The Dynamics of Age Structured Human Capital and Economic Growth

Abstract We show that the age structure of human capital matters for economic growth. This question had not been tackled empirically until very recently due to the lack of comparable cross-country data on age-specific educational attainment. We present the newly developed IIASA/VID dataset, which provides consistent information about educational attainment by age and sex for 120 countries for the period 1970-2000 at five year intervals. The dataset has been created making use of the information contained in censuses, labor market surveys, and the Demographic and Health Surveys, coupled with a reconstruction exercise based on multistate demographic methods of backward projection. Using the framework of the Benhabib-Spiegel (1994) model, we show that improvements in education in young age groups are particularly important for explaining economic growth in developing countries. Furthermore, we show that the use of education data disaggregated by age improves out-of-sample economic growth predictions significantly.
Prospect Theory and Mean-Variance Analysis: Does it Make a Difference in Wealth Management?

We show that prospect theory is a valuable paradigm for wealth management. It describes well how investors perceive risk and with appropriate modeling it can be made consistent with rational decision making. Moreover, it can be represented in a simple reward-risk diagram so that the main ideas are easily communicated to clients. Finally, we show on data from a large set of private clients that there are considerable monetary gains from introducing prospect theory instead of mean-variance analysis into the client advisory process.