Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Production of aspirated phonemes in Cantonese-speaking children with cochlear implants or hearing aids

This paper investigated the ability of production of aspirated phonemes in Cantonese-speaking children with profound hearing loss who are users of cochlear implants or hearing aids. Participants were children aged between 3;00 to 6;03, and with profound hearing loss prelingually. The speech production of the participants in a picture naming task was analyzed perceptually and acoustically for voice onset time measurement. Results indicated that children with cochlear implants produced more errors in production of aspirated phoneme than the unaspirated cognates; while hearing aids users produced both aspirated phonemes and unaspirated cognates with similar accuracies. Mean VOTs produced by the participants were close to normal limits. Both cochlear implants and hearing aids were found to be beneficial for acquisition of aspiration. Early implantation before age 2;06 years old in children who had limited benefits from amplification was supported. The title of the research project is “ Production of Aspirated Phonemes in Cantonese-Speaking Children with Cochlear Implants or Hearing Aids. ” The study is to investigate and compare the production ability of aspirated phonemes in hearing-impaired children with cochlear implant or hearing aids. Children who participate in this research would be invited to name 90 pictures to the researcher in a single testing session (20 minutes). Non-Clinical
Heavy-Vehicle Crash Data Collection and Analysis to Characterize Rear and Side Underride and Front Override in Fatal Truck Crashes

This study was conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) to collect and analyze crash data on rear underride in fatal truck crashes, 2008-2009. The underride data was collected as a supplement to UMTRI’s Trucks Involved in Fatal Accidents survey, which in turn supplements the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System file. Data was collected on the rear geometry of the rear-most unit of all trucks involved in fatal crashes, 2008-2009. For all collisions in which the rear of the truck was struck, data was collected on the extent of underride, damage to the underride guard (if any), and whether the collision was offset. In addition, two other tasks were accomplished: impact speeds were estimated for fatal rear-end crashes by light vehicles where there was sufficient information, and the incidence of front override and side underride was estimated through a clinical review of all appropriate cases in the Large Truck Crash Causation Survey (LTCCS). Overall, accounting for the rear geometry of the vehicles and exemptions for certain cargo body types, it is estimated that about 38 percent of straight trucks in the crashes were required to have underride guards, and about 66 percent of tractor/trailers were required to have them. Rear underride was noted in about 75 percent of rear-end struck crashes where the striking vehicle was a light vehicle. The underride was to the windshield or beyond in 36 percent of light-vehicle impacts. Vehicles with lower front geometry tended to experience more underride than vehicles with a higher front geometry. Offset impact was not associated with greater damage to the underride guard. There were 934 fatalities in vehicles that struck the rear of a truck. Light vehicle occupants accounted for 724 of the fatalities, and some underride occurred in 70 percent of the fatalities.
Evaluation of 2+1 roads with cable barriers

The Swedish Road Administration started in 1998 a development program denoted alternative 13 metre roads, since 2002 denoted "collision-free roads". The program objectives were to increase the traffic safety on existing 13 m-roads and semimotorways (two-lane expressways) in a cost-effective manner with significantly lower investment costs and smaller intrusion compared to traditional measures. These actual roads with a total length of about 3 700 km during the 1990s, of which 350 km were semimotorways, comprised about 25 % of the mileage on the main road network but only 14 % of the length. During the 1990s there were almost 100 yearly fatalities and 400 severe injuries on this network, which corresponded to almost 25 % and 20 % respectively of the total number on the national road network. To ensure that the objectives should be achieved a comprehensive evaluation and follow-up was started of all the measures undertaken in the scope of the development program. This evaluation should ensure that important impact factors for costs and effects were considered. This publication is the final report and a summarized documentation of the results and experiences from the extension of collision-free roads, from the beginning of 1998 to 2006-2007, when the evaluation gradually has been ceased.
Il tasso di rendimento degli investimenti in ricerca e sviluppo delle imprese innovatrici italiane

This paper estimates the impact of R&D expenditures on Italian firm productivity. For the period 1989-1997 we consider a Cobb-Douglas production function augmented by R&D intensity. Final outcomes suggest that the rate of return of R&D investments is 20% over 1989-1994 and 22% over 1995-1997.
Invention and Reinvention: The Evolution of San Diego's Innovation Economy

Formerly prosperous cities across the United States, struggling to keep up with an increasingly global economy and the continued decline of post-war industries like manufacturing, face the issue of how to adapt to today's knowledge economy. In Invention and Reinvention, authors Mary Walshok and Abraham Shragge chronicle San Diego's transformation from a small West Coast settlement to a booming military metropolis and then to a successful innovation hub. This instructive story of a second-tier city that transformed its core economic identity can serve as a rich case and a model for similar regions. Stressing the role that cultural values and social dynamics played in its transition, the authors discern five distinct, recurring factors upon which San Diego capitalized at key junctures in its economic growth. San Diego-though not always a star city-has been able to repurpose its assets and realign its economic development strategies continuously in order to sustain prosperity. Chronicling over a century of adaptation, this book offers a lively and penetrating tale of how one city reinvented itself to meet the demands of today's economy, lighting the way for others.
Design and Instrumentation of the Structural Pavement Experiment at the NCAT Test Track

A structural experiment at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) test track was warranted to advance mechanistic-empirically based (M-E) design and analysis. The objectives of the structural experiment at the NCAT test track are as follows: 1. Validate mechanistic pavement models. 2. Develop transfer functions for typical asphalt mixtures and pavement cross-sections. 3. Study dynamic effects on pavement deterioration from a mechanistic viewpoint. 4. Evaluate the effect of thickness and polymer modification on structural performance. To accomplish the objectives enumerated above, eight pavement sections were constructed at the NCAT test track. These sections varied in thickness and material composition. Additionally, each of the sections was instrumented to monitor in situ asphalt strain, compressive stresses in the unbound layers, moisture, and temperature. Throughout the course of the experiment, data will be gathered both in a slow speed manner (i.e., hourly averages) in addition to a high-speed dynamic manner (i.e., 5 kHz) under normal operating speeds. Additionally, routine deflection testing and surface condition surveys will be conducted. These data will serve as the basis of accomplishing the project objectives. This report was written after construction of the test sections, but prior to the sections being fully opened to traffic. It is meant to detail the structural testing plan, instrumentation selection, instrumentation installation and some preliminary analyses that were conducted prior to trafficking.
What university teachers need to know - perceptions of course content in higher education pedagogical courses

ABSTRACT This article investigates how professional development courses for university teachers are viewed by different stakeholders, specifically students, university teachers, central university management, and the government. The particular focus of the investigation is on the relationship of theory and practice, disciplinary content, and forms of pedagogical knowledge. The results, based on interviews and documents, show that university teachers tend to ask for more practical, hands-on knowledge, whereas the government focuses on the theoretical content of pedagogical courses. Stakeholders were vague in their views about the content of pedagogical courses, indicating that professional development fails to be regarded as a strategic matter.
Towards proper sampling and statistical modelling of defects

Predicting the size of the largest defect expected to occur in components based on samples obtained from polished inspection areas is a common exercise, which is even addressed in standards. However, the standard practice may occasionally yield poor results. This paper presents a comprehensive method that aims to improve some of the shortcomings of the standard practice. The method is utilized on actual defect data, which showed that the proposed method is able to predict significant experimental observations that the standard practice missed.
Innovation based on tradition : Blast furnace slag cement for durable concrete structures in Norway?

Blast furnace slag cement (BFSC) has been used to build reinforced concrete structures in marine and road environment in The Netherlands for nearly a century. The experience is good and structures with long service lives can be obtained, as has been shown by several field studies. This is caused by a high resistance against chloride penetration and a high electrical resistivity, demonstrated both in the field and in the laboratory. Due to the high slag content, related CO2 emission and embedded energy are lower than for Portland cement. In many countries including Norway, BFSC is a novelty and long term experience is lacking. In order to study the potential for use of BFSC in Norway, a desk study was carried out, reporting on many aspects. The resistance against chloride induced corrosion stands out positively, whereas neither carbonation nor frost are problems in practice. However, the Dutch experience is mainly based on CEM III/B with 65-75% of slag by mass of binder. Such a cement is not available on the Norwegian market. The introduction of CEM III/A with c. 48% slag in Norway is anticipated. Consequently, an experimental program was drawn up to study the properties of concrete made with CEM III/B and CEM III/A (with 48% slag), with and without addition of silica fume. The ultimate goal is to provide a basis for evaluation of use of slag cement in Norway for durable coastal and marine structures. This paper describes the history and performance of slag in concrete in The Netherlands, the outline of the experimental program and expected results from the study.
Stunting and its Determinant Factors among Early Adolescent School Girls of Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia: A school based cross -sectional study

Introduction: Stunting in adolescent have an effect on physical growth, intellectual capacity, educational achievement, work capacity and more importantly it maintains an intergenerational malnutrition burden. Stunting has been considered as a problem of children’s at early age and adolescent girls of tomorrow mothers have been neglected and studies conducted on this area are very scarce. Methods: we conducted a school based cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence and determinant factors of stunting among early adolescent school girls (age 10-14 years) of Gondar town. A multi stage sampling method was used to select a sample of 662 adolescent girls in selected primary schools in Gondar Town. Pre-tested structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect the required data. We used SPSS Version 20.0 and WHO Anthro-plus software to analyze the data. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were run to identify factors associated with adolescent stunting. Adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval and a P- value ≤ 0.05 was used to declare a statistical significant. Results: We estimated a prevalence of stunting to be 27.5% [95% CI: 25.5% - 29.5%]. The odds of stunting in adolescent girls was found to be higher among those in grade 5 [AOR; 95%CI: 1.90; 1.13 - 3.20], had a meal frequency of less than or equal to three times per day [AOR; 95%CI: 2.37; 1.60-3.50], and those who are from food insecure families [AOR; 95%CI: 2.52; 1.70 - 3.73]. On the other side, adolescent girls whose their mothers’ were government employees [AOR; 95%CI: 0.48; 0.26 – 0.89] and merchants [AOR; 95%CI: 0.43; 0.28 – 0.67] were less stunted as compared to adolescent girls who had a mother who were housewife’s. Conclusion: we found that stunting in early adolescent school girls become a significant public health problem and much needs to be done to improve nutritional status of girls in the first 1000 days of perinatal period to reduce a burden of stunting during adolescent period.
A Systems Thinking Approach to Domain-Driven Design

This paper builds on our earlier work in the construction of a systemic framework for developing information systems. In this paper we apply the framework to the development of a Peer-Tutoring System (PTS) for Introductory Programming courses in our Universities. The framework supports the full development life cycle from business process modelling to software implementation. We use Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) as a guiding methodology within which we have embedded a sequence of design tasks based on the Unified Modelling Language (UML) and Domain-Driven design techniques the Naked Objects Pattern is used as DDD approach. This leads to the implementation of a prototype software application using the Naked Objects framework. We have involved developers and management in reviewing the software system and the approach taken to develop it. The results suggest that the framework can lead to improved business process modelling and software implementation.
A Cross Asian Country Analysis in Attitudes toward Car and Public Transport

The first aim of this study was to do an exploratory investigation of dimensions of attitudes toward car and public transport in six Asian countries (Japan, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines). The second aim was to find out determinants of the dimensions as well as of the possible differences of attitudes across countries. Attitudes toward car and public transport by 1,118 respondents in six countries were measured by 31 beliefs in form of pairs of opposite adjectives. The results of principle component analysis yielded three factors of attitudes toward car and public transport, namely: Symbolic affective, Instrumental, and Social orderliness. The result of comparison between attitudes toward car and public transport in each country indicated that the contrary between car and public transport may transcend cultures. ANOVA also revealed that there were great divergences across countries in the all three dimensions of attitudes toward car and public transport.
Molecular Classification and Interpretation of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Using Deep Convolution Neural Networks and Shapley Values

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a prototypical neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons to severely effect the functionality to control voluntary muscle movement. Most of the non-additive genetic aberrations responsible for ALS make its molecular classification very challenging along with limited sample size, curse of dimensionality, class imbalance and noise in the data. Deep learning methods have been successful in many other related areas but have low minority class accuracy and suffer from the lack of explainability when used directly with RNA expression features for ALS molecular classification. In this paper, we propose a deep-learning-based molecular ALS classification and interpretation framework. Our framework is based on training a convolution neural network (CNN) on images obtained from converting RNA expression values into pixels based on DeepInsight similarity technique. Then, we employed Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) to extract pixels with higher relevance to ALS classifications. These pixels were mapped back to the genes which made them up. This enabled us to classify ALS samples with high accuracy for a minority class along with identifying genes that might be playing an important role in ALS molecular classifications. Taken together with RNA expression images classified with CNN, our preliminary analysis of the genes identified by SHAP interpretation demonstrate the value of utilizing Machine Learning to perform molecular classification of ALS and uncover disease-associated genes.
REVIEWING THE ROLE OF COCKPIT ALERTING SYSTEMS

This paper reviews the roles that cockpit alerting systems may assume, how these roles have changed with technological advances, and how effectively these roles allow alerting systems to function as pilot aids and safety systems. First, a denotation for alerting systems is proposed and contrasted with current connotations. A brief review of the technical considerations underlying alerting system design is provided. Next, the variety of roles of alerting systems noted both in the literature and in studies of current operations are detailed. Lastly, potential problems--and solutions--implied by these roles are discussed.
Optimal scheduled power flow for distributed photovoltaic/wind/diesel generators with battery storage system

In this study, two control strategies involving ‘continuous’ and ‘ON/OFF’ operation of the diesel generator in the solar photovoltaic (PV)-wind-diesel-battery hybrid systems are modelled. The main purpose of these developed models is to minimise the hybrid system's operation cost while finding the optimal power flow considering the intermittent solar and wind resources, the battery state of charge and the fluctuating load demand . The non-linearity of the load demand, the non-linearity of the diesel generator fuel consumption curve as well as the battery operation limits have been considered in the development of the models. The simulations have been performed using ‘fmincon’ for the continuous operation and ‘intlinprog’ for the ON/OFF operation strategy implemented in Matlab. These models have been applied to two test examples; the simulation results are analysed and compared with the case where the diesel generator is used alone to supply the given load demand. The results show that using the developed PV-diesel-battery optimal operation control models, significant fuel saving can be achieved compared with the case where the diesel is used alone to supply the same load requirements.
Impedances and Wakes in High-Energy Particle Accelerators

Modern particle accelerators and storage rings, whether used for high-energy physics, synchrotron light sources or other purposes, require particle beams with the highest possible intensity. In order to achieve this maximum performance, a good understanding of the interaction of the charged particle beams with the surrounding vacuum chamber and other accelerator components is necessary. In the frequency domain, this interaction can be described by impedances, and equivalently by wake fields in the time domain. These need to be known to estimate the thresholds of coherent instabilities, or other collective effects, which limit the achieveable beam current. Such considerations have to be taken into account already during the design of such machines, as they limit the choice of materials and the shapes of components required for their operations. The book explains the basic concepts and the methods which have been used to calculate such impedances and wakes. The emphasis is on circular particle accelerators and storage rings, with which the authors are more familiar, but many of these concepts are equally useful in linear accelerators or colliders. Without any pretense of completeness, the most important accelerator components, such as vacuum chambers with bellows and pumping ports, RF and other cavities, single steps, irises and collimators etc, are described in specialized chapters. Also limitations and restrictions of the impedance and wake field descriptions are discussed. The book is mainly written for physicists working with or on particle accelerators or storage rings, and who want to understand the methods which have been used for such calculations.
Direct swim-up without centrifugation is a more recommended technique for sperm preparation in conventional IVF cycles

Backgroud: The aim of this study is to investigate the most effective and maneuverable technique for sperm preparation in conventional IVF cycles. Method: A retrospective and laboratory-based study was conducted in patients who underwent their first cycle of IVF from January to December in 2016 to compare two sperm preparation techniques: direct swim-up without centrifugation (DSU) technique and density-gradient centrifugation followed by swim-up (DGC-SU) technique. A series of experiments in this study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of these two techniques which include: (i) assessment of quality and quantity of spermatozoa by comparing motility, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), acrosomal reaction (AR) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of DSU-separated sperm to DGC-SU-separated sperm, (ii) evaluation of safety of DSU technique by assessing the risks of bacterial contamination, (iii) analysis of feasibility of replacing DGC-SU with DSU technique by reviewing ART outcomes including fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, take-home baby rate and abortion rate. Results: Although there were no significant differences in DFI, AR and MMP between DSU-separated sperm and DGC-SU-separated sperm, significantly higher percentage of progressive motility in DSU-separated sperm were found than that in DGC-SU-separated sperm. Moreover, there were no significant differences between DSU and DGC-SU groups on ART outcomes based on data of fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, baby delivery rate and abortion rate. In addition, no bacterial contaminations were found in culture medium samples of simulating fertilization from DSU group. However, it is noticeable that DSU technique required less time and labor for sperm preparation compared with DGC-SU.
A PMIPv6-based solution for Distributed Mobility Management

The number of mobile users and their traffic demand is expected to be ever-increasing in future years, and this growth can represent a limitation for deploying current mobility management schemes that are intrinsically centralized, e.g., Mobile IPv6 and Proxy Mobile IPv6. For this reason it has been waved a need for distributed and dynamic mobility management approaches, with the objective of reducing operators' burdens, evolving to a cheaper and more efficient architecture. This draft describes multiple solutions for network- based distributed mobility management inspired by the well known Proxy Mobile IPv6.