Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ranked set sampling: An approach to more efficient data collection

This paper is intended to provide the reader with an introduction to ranked set sampling, a statistical technique for data collection that generally leads to more efficient estimators than competitors based on simple random samples. Methods for obtaining ranked set samples are described, and the structural differences between ranked set samples and simple random samples are discussed. Properties of the sample mean associated with a balanced ranked set sample are developed. A nonparametric ranked set sample estimator of the distribution function is discussed and properties of a ranked set sample analog of the Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon statistic are presented.
A Study of Dynamic Stall Vortex Development Using Two-Dimensional Data from the AFDD Oscillating Wing Experiment

Abstract : The purpose of this study is to examine the previously unpublished instantaneous pressure data of the Aeroflightdynamics Directorate Two-Dimensional (2D) and Three-Dimensional (3D) Oscillating Wing Experiment to better understand the process of dynamic stall vortex development on the NACA 0015 airfoil. This report presents representative 2D instantaneous pressure data for the upper and lower surfaces of the airfoil at various chordwise locations obtained at specific angles of attack during upstroke and downstroke cycles. Furthermore, the report contains a complete set of plots of instantaneous pressure distributions for the upper surface for all the 2D data sets obtained in the experiment. First, the lift, drag and pitching moment data of various testing conditions are reviewed and analyzed to classify the data both with and without a boundary layer trip into "no stall," "moderate stall," and "deep stall" data. Next, instantaneous pressure distributions on the upper surface of the airfoil are examined for the study of vortex development. The lift and pitching moment data are analyzed to document the dynamic overshoot which delays the development of the stall on the airfoil. Next, the range of angles of attack are selected where the lift and pitching moment data shows significant changes from unsteady flow behavior daring oscillation cycles. Furthermore, based on the unsteady flow characteristics found in each classification of dynamic stall, analysis is continued to identify the conditions where the reduced frequency clearly affects the unsteady flow behavior of the airfoil during the oscillation. This can result in a change of the dynamic stall classification of the airfoil response under various unsteady flow conditions. These conditions are discussed in detail in the comparative studies.
Reducing the fat in school lunch : the effect on 24-hour intake by fifth graders

approved: Constance c/oeorgiou Recommendations have been made to reduce the fat content of school lunch to a level consistent with the 1990 "Dietary Guidelines for Americans". Research to date has focused primarily on acceptability of fat-modified meals. This study was designed to determine if reducing the fat content of school lunch to <30% of kcal also effectively reduced a child's 24-hour intake of fat. The effect on intake of energy and other macronutrients was also assessed and micronutrient intake reported. Thirtyeight 5th-grade boys and girls were served high-fat lunches (43% of kcal, 34 g fat) for three consecutive days one week and low-fat lunches (29% of kcal, 23 g fat) the same three days of the following week. All lunches were similar in energy content. Consumption was ad libitum. Food intake at lunch was estimated by subtracting each child's weighed plate waste from the average amount served of each food item. Students kept three-day food diaries to record food intake the rest of each day. Each child and a parent were interviewed the weekend following each period to enhance the accuracy of the food diaries. Energy and nutrient intakes were estimated using the Food Processor II computer program. Average three-day nutrient intakes for the two periods were compared using paired ttests. The difference in mean 24-hour intake of fat was 3% of kcal (35% of kcal vs 32%, p<.01) between the highfat and the low-fat periods. The decrease in 24-hour fat intake was offset by a corresponding increase in carbohydrate intake (from 52% of kcal to 55%, p<.01), and total energy intake was constant between the two periods. Mean fat intake at lunch was lower during the low-fat period (13 g vs 22 g, p<.01) and students consumed an average of 58 fewer kcal (425 vs 483, p<.01). Fat intake at lunch was 28% of kcal as compared to 40% during the high-fat period (p<.01). Students partially compensated for the fat deficit in the low-fat lunches by consuming more fat (13 g vs 8 g, p<.01) and compensated entirely for kcals during after-school snacks. Reducing the fat content of a single meal (school lunch) did make a significant contribution towards satisfying the 1990 Dietary Guidelines for the children's 24-hour intake of fat and carbohydrate without compromising kcal intake. REDUCING THE FAT IN SCHOOL LUNCH: THE EFFECT ON 24-HOUR INTAKE BY FIFTH GRADERS by Nancy Krupin A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Completed December 9, 1991 Commencement June 1992
DetectMe: object detection on the iPhone

[ANGLES] DetectMe is one of the firsts apps to do the complete process of object detection on the iOS devices. With the app, the user is able to train a detector to detect any kind of objects and later on execute it on real time on the device. Furthermore, the detectors can be share it between users, downloaded to analyze them. The app is also capable of broadcasting the detections through wifi. The purpose of the project is two fold. On one hand allow people working with vision systems to quickly use an already built in object detector. On the other, explore how different users train a detector.
A TALE OF TWO SCIENTIFIC PARADIGMS: CONFLICTING SCIENTIFIC OPINIONS ON WHAT “FOLLOWING THE SCIENCE” MEANS FOR SARS-COV-2 AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments have adopted responses revolving around the open-ended use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), including “lockdowns”, “stay-at-home” orders, travel restrictions, mask-wearing, and regulated social distancing. Initially these were introduced with the stated goals of “flattening the curve” of hospital demand and/or the eradication of the virus from the country (i.e., “zero covid” policies). Over time, these goals have shifted to maintaining sufficient NPIs in place until such time as population-wide vaccination programmes have achieved an appropriate level of herd immunity to allow lifting of these measures without excessive hospital demand. Supporters of this approach have claimed to be “following the science”, insisting that criticism of any aspects of these measures is non-scientific or even “scientific misinformation”. This idea that only one set of scientifically valid opinions on COVID-19 exists has encouraged the media, social media and even scientific journals to suppress and/or dismiss any differing scientific opinions as “erroneous”, “discredited” or “debunked”, resulting in discouragement of open-minded scientific inquiry or discussion. Accordingly, in the current article we identify two distinct scientific paradigms to analysing COVID-19 adopted within the medical and scientific community. Paradigm 1 is primarily model-driven, while Paradigm 2 is primarily empirically-driven. Using these two paradigms we have analysed the epidemiological data for 30 northern hemisphere countries (with a total population of 882 million). Remarkably, we find using each paradigm leads to diametrically opposite conclusions on many policy-relevant issues. We discuss how these conflicting results might be reconciled and provide recommendations for scientists and policymakers.
Comparison of the effect of various long-term fertilization systems on the content and fractional composition of humic compounds in Lessive soil

A field experiment was established in 1972 on Luvisol. Three types of fertilizers – cattle manure (CM), cattle slurry (CS) and mineral fertilizers were used. CS was applied in the following doses: I – balanced with CM in terms of the amount of introduced total nitrogen and II – balanced with CM in terms of the amount of introduced total organic carbon (Ctot). 39 years after the experiment was established, half of each experimental plot was limed and since then the experiment was carried in two series – non-limed and limed soils. The paper presents the results of soil analyses 41 years after the experiment was started. It was found that each fertilization system increased the Ctot content in soil in relation to the unfertilized control plot. The increase of Ctot fluctuated between 0.35–6.22 g/kg of dry matter. In both series, the highest Ctot content was observed in the soil fertilized with CM and CM + PK. Limed compared to non-limed soil contained nearly 25% more carbon of humic acids than fulvic acids and nearly 20% lower content of low molecular humic bonds. Liming considerably widened the humic acids carbon:fulvic acids carbon (CHA:CFA) ratio of the fertilized soils, up to 1.32–1.87, while the corresponding objects of the non-limed series showed the CHA:CFA ratio between 0.75–0.97.
Acting as Translators between Consultants and Users in ERP Implementation: An Exploratory Study of Analysts’ Boundary Spanning Expertise

The collaboration between users and developers has been considered an important success factor for information system (IS) development. However, the new context of enterprise systems calls for further research in the collaboration of consultants and users when they work together to implement those commercial packages. This study introduces the concept of boundary spanning expertise , and examines how such expertise contributes to consultant-user collaboration during enterprise system implementations. Data analysis suggest that having overlapping knowledge, legitimate participation and interest in engaging two parties are only necessary conditions for a novice boundary spanner. To become an expert in boundary spanning, one should be able to probe and to challenge a status-quo when helping both parties overcome knowledge barriers. The study contributes to IS and project management theory by developing a domain-specific conceptualization of boundary spanning expertise. Findings of this study offer practical insights into staffing and managing cross-functional knowledge teams.
Rational Design of Transition Metal Co‐Doped Ceria Catalysts for Low‐Temperature CO Oxidation

We present a highly active CeO2‐based catalyst for oxidizing CO in automobile exhaust. This catalyst was systemically designed by co‐doping with transition metals (TMs). First, we used density functional theory (DFT) calculations to screen Mn and 13 dopant TMs (periods 4∼6 in groups VIII∼XI) and their 91 binary combinations for co‐doping. As a result, Cu and (Cu, Ag) were found to be the best candidates among the single and binary dopants, respectively. Next, we synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles doped with Cu or (Cu, Ag), then experimentally confirmed that the predicted (Cu, Ag) co‐doped CeO2 showed higher activity than pure CeO2 and other TM‐doped CeO2. This was attributed to the easy formation of oxygen vacancies in the lattice of CeO2. Our study demonstrates that the use of a rational design of CeO2‐based catalyst through theoretical calculations and experimental validation can effectively improve the low‐temperature catalytic activity of CO oxidation.
An Evaluation of Growth Models as Predictive Tools for Estimates at Completion (EAC)

Abstract : Efficient decision making mandates the accuracy of forecasted estimations of a contract's final value known within Earned Value Management (EVM) as the Estimates at Completion (EAC). Our research evaluates the prospect of nonlinear growth modeling as an alternative to the current predictive tools used for calculating EAC, such as the Cost Performance Index (CPI), the Schedule Cost Index (SCI), and the Composite Index methods. Our study uses the Gompertz growth curve to produce three EAC Models based on contract phase: A Production Model, a Development Model, and a Combined Model. Contract Performance Report (CPR) data are used to develop the models. Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) is used to evaluate and select the more accurate model's EAC. We compare along three datasets for performance evaluation: a model building dataset, an additional dataset, and a dataset of designated Over Target Baseline (OTB) contracts. For 63% to 79% of OTB contracts, depending on model and phase examined, our study shows all three growth models out perform all three Index-based methods. Our research shows growth models as a more accurate estimating tool for identified OTB contract's EAC as compared to the CPI, SCI, and Composite Index methods.
A Needs Based Approach to Teaching and Learning ofEnglish for Engineering Purposes

The objective of this study was to assess the English language needs of learners of engineering colleges of Orissa.The main purpose was to examine the current English syllabus of different engineering colleges of Orissa and to study how effectively they have been implemented at the classroom level. It also attempted to find out how language skills along with life-skills can be learnt effectively by engineering students for proper utilization by them in real life situations.The study attempted to answer the following questions: First, is there a gap existing between the present English language syllabi in engineering colleges and students’ academic and professional needs? Second, is there a need to modify and revise the present English language course so that it meets the engineering students’ needs to apply it in real-life situations? The study involved 770 students and 63 teachers of 20 engineering colleges located in different regions of the state. The tools used for data collection comprised of questionnaire survey among students and teachers. After validating the validity and reliability of the research instruments, the questionnaire survey was conducted among students of 2nd, 4th and 6th semester Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) students and the teachers’ survey was conducted at a workshop conducted by the Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT), the only technological university in the state which has around 100 engineering and management colleges affiliated to it. The survey was also conducted among students of other government run autonomous colleges and also at National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, and an institute of national importance. The survey was conducted during the academic year 2008-2009.
CEO excess compensation: the impact of compensation committee quality and corporate social responsibility

ABSTRACT This study examines whether compensation committee quality and corporate social responsibility are related to CEO excess compensation. Using a U.S. sample from 2008 to 2013, this study finds that high-quality compensation committees can design compensation arrangements that limit CEOs’ ability to extract excessive compensation. Furthermore, according to this study, CEOs tend to overinvest in corporate social responsibility in order to extract extra compensation.
Optimization of the process conditions for cyclodextrin glucanotransferase production using response surface methodology

Statistical experimental design was used to optimize the physical conditions such as temperature and speed of agitation in shake flask culture to enhance cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) production from Bacillus sp. G1. Response surface methodology with appropriate statistical experimental design was employed for this purpose. The maximal level of extracellular CGTase was achieved (41.4 U/ml) when the speed of agitation and temperature were 147.7 rpm, 34.48°C respectively.
Evaluation of toxicity and lethal concentration (LC50) of silver and selenium nanoparticle in different life stages of the fish Tenualosa ilish (Hamilton 1822)

The anadromous Tenualosa ilish is the most economically important fish in the world and consequently in Iran. The national fish of Iranian contributes about 12% of the total fish production and about 1% of GDP. About 4,500,000 people are directly involved with the catching for livelihood; around four to five million people are indirectly involved with the trade. The present study aimed to estimate 96hLC50s of silver and selenium on LC50 of nanoparticle of silver and selenium in different life stages of the fish T. ilish in the environment experimental. The LC50 for silver in four stages of fish T. ilish were larvae (0.23ppm), fry (0.45ppm), juvenile (0.90ppm) and fingerling (1.45ppm), respectively. There was significance difference between LC50 levels in four stages of fish species (P<0.05) and the LC50 for selenium in four stages of fish T. ilish were larvae (0.89ppm), fry (0.95ppm), juvenile (1.12ppm) and fingerling (1.65ppm), respectively. There was significance difference between LC50 levels in four stages of fish species (P<0.05). Variability in acute toxicity even in a single species and single toxicant depending on the size, age and condition of the test species along with experimental factors. Finally, in order of the toxicity of heavy metal in different stage of fish were larvae > fry > juvenile > fingerling, respectively. In conclusion, the toxicity tended to elevate with decreasing fish size.
An Experimental Evaluation of the Air Cannon Technique for Use in Impact Resistance Screening of Polycarbonate

Abstract : An evaluation of the air cannon test technique for impact resistance screening of poly-carbonate was conducted. Tests were performed on plate specimens of various spans and thicknesses impacted by projectiles of various diameters, masses, and velocities. Strain rate, failure energy, failure mode, and percent thickness reduction were recorded. Falling weight tests were also conducted and results compared with the air cannon results. The air cannon results showed the same trends in the failure energy-versus-geometric parameter and in failure mode as the falling weight results. The air cannon test technique yielded strain rates characteristic of birdstrike for both thin (1/8 inch) and thick (1/2 inch) plates while the falling weight test achieved such strain rates only for thin (1/8 inch) plates. Polycarbonate; Falling weight; Accelerated impactor; Air cannon; Impact resistance; Lexan; Aircraft; Armor; Projectile; Strain rate.
The Heightened Importance of Racism and Sexism in the 2018 US Midterm Elections

Abstract In 2016, attitudes related to racism and sexism were strong predictors of vote choice for president. Since then, issues related to race and gender have continued to be an important part of the political agenda. This letter shows that hostile sexism and denial of racism emerged as stronger predictors of the House vote in the 2018 cycle than they had been in 2016. The results show that the increased importance of these factors came largely from the shifting of less sexist and less racist voters from voting Republican in 2016 to voting for Democrats in 2018. Overall, the results suggest that Trump's hostility towards women and minorities is becoming part of the Republican Party's brand, and that this appears to have created an electoral penalty for Republican candidates in 2018.
Autonomous Inspection of Wind Turbines and Buildings using an UAV

This thesis describes the use of optical flow and Hough transform in local navigation, particularly the case of inspecting wind turbines and buildings for damages. The goal is to create an observer capable of estimating the metric velocity and distance to the blade from scaled velocity inputs. Furthermore, a controller capable of inspecting wind turbines and buildings autonomously will be presented and tested. The first part of the report will address the use of two different computer vision algorithms in local navigation. Firstly, the optical flow algorithm will be presented, with focus on the Horn-Schunck and the Lucas-Kanade method. By using a pyramidal representation of the image, the algorithms were found to provide more accurate optical flow when the motion is large. Secondly, the Hough transform for finding straight lines in an image was investigated. The tests showed that Hough transform can be used on wind turbine blades to estimate the desired velocity vector and the relative angle between the UAV and the blade. The observer was simulated in MATLAB with velocity vectors provided by an optical flow algorithm. Two different case studies has been investigated to verify the mathematical model and observer. The observer was able to successfully estimate the metric velocity along with the distance. The guidance law presented in this report was based on the pure pursuit guidance and PID controllers. The controllers successfully maneuvered the UAV to the desired position and kept a constant distance to the object. The height controller was tested with both a stationary and dynamic desired height. The UAV was able to follow the desired height in both cases.
Antibacterial Activity of Benzyl Benzoate and Crotepoxide from Kaempferia rotunda L. Rhizome

Benzyl benzoate and crotepoxide are the major components of Kaempferia rotunda L. rhizome. However, the bioactivity study of benzyl benzoate and crotepoxide as the antibacterial activity were still limited. Therefore, the antibacterial activity of benzyl benzoate and crotepoxide against four pathogenic bacteria, i.e., Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Enterococcus aerogenes ATCC 13048, Bacillus cereus ATCC 6538 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 11778 were investigated. The isolation steps were include the extraction by maceration with acetone, then the acetone extract was partitioned with n-hexane:methanol (1:1) and ethyl acetate:water (1:1) respectively. The isolation by liquid vacuum chromatography followed by column chromatography was obtained benzyl benzoate from the n-hexane fraction and crotepoxide from ethyl acetate fraction. The molecular structure of isolated compounds was identified based on NMR (1D and 2D) spectroscopic data. The antibacterial activity assay of isolated compounds was carried out using the disc diffusion method. The antibacterial evaluation confirms that the benzyl benzoate and crotepoxide exhibits a medium level activity. Benzyl benzoate showed highest antibacterial activity against B. cereus at the MIC of 50 μg/mL and inhibitory zone of 5.9 mm, while the crotepoxide showed highest antibacterial activity against E. aerogenes at the MIC of 100 μg/mL with inhibitory zone 6.1 mm.