Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generalizing the Pigeonhole Principle for Similarity Search in Hamming Space

A distance search in Hamming space finds binary vectors whose Hamming distances are no more than a threshold from a query vector. It is a fundamental problem in many applications, such as image retrieval, near-duplicate Web page detection, and scientific databases. State-of-the-art approaches to Hamming distance search are mainly based on the pigeonhole principle to generate a set of candidates and then verify them. We observe that the constraint by the pigeonhole principle is not always tight and may bring about unnecessary candidates. We also observe that the distribution in real data is often skewed, but most existing solutions adopt a simple equi-width partitioning and allocate the same threshold to all the parts, hence failing to exploit the data skewness to optimize query processing. In this paper, we propose a new form of the pigeonhole principle which allows variable partitioning and threshold allocation. Based on the new principle, we develop a tight constraint of candidates and devise cost-aware methods for partitioning and threshold allocation to optimize query processing. In addition, we extend our methods to answer Hamming distance join queries. We also discuss the application of the pigeonhole principle in set similarity search, a problem that can be converted to Hamming distance search equivalently. Our evaluation on datasets with various data distributions shows the robustness of our solution and its superior query processing performance to the state-of-the-art methods.
Language Teacher’s Experience and Preference toward Online Learning Platforms during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic compelled the educational sector to act quickly, resulting in the adoption of replacement online learning platforms (OLPs) to keep the educational system running throughout the crisis. This study explored how language teachers in Ethiopia are prepared in terms of their experience and preference toward OLPs. To achieve this goal, data were collected from 203 participants (aged 22–46, including 81 males and 122 females) using a self-perceived questionnaire. The data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, and inferential statistics, including ANOVA tests, to determine the teachers’ experiences and preferences toward OLPs. The mean score of the teachers’ experience findings revealed a score of 3.406 out of a five-point Likert scale, and the preference subdimensions mean scores ranged from 3.164 to 3.476. The ANOVA findings revealed that, in the mean scores of language teachers’ experience toward OLPs ( p > 0.05 ) and preferences toward OLPs, there were statistically significant differences for video streaming platforms ( p > 0.05 ), digital reading materials platforms ( p > 0.05 ), and mixed OLPs ( p > 0.05 ). Regarding the statistically significant correlation between language teachers’ experiences and preferences (LTEP) toward OLPs (except between video streaming platforms and digital reading materials platforms (r = −0.011, p = 0.878 )), there was a statistically significant impact. Post hoc results showed, however, that there was no statistically significant correlation between language teachers’ preference dimensions. To summarize, Ethiopian language teachers preferred video streaming platforms and mixed OLPs over digital reading materials platforms. Moreover, further research into the LTEP toward OLPs in various ecological aspects is required.
The carbon balance of forest biomes

1. The Global Imperative and Policy for Carbon Sequestration. 2. Role of Forest Biomes in the Global Carbon Balance. 3. Carbon Sequestration in European Croplands. 4. Estimating Forest and Other Terrestrial Carbon Fluxes at a National Scale: the UK Experience. 5. Regional-Scale Estimates of Forest CO2 and Isotope Flux Based on Monthly CO2 Budgets of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer. 6. Regional Measurement and Modelling of Carbon Balances. 7. The Potential for Rising CO2 to Account for the Observed Uptake of Carbon by Tropical, Temperate and Boreal Forest Biomes. 8. Measurement of CO2 exchange between Boreal Forest and the Atmosphere. 9. Carbon Exchange of Decidous Broadleaved Forests in Temperature and Mediterranean Regions. 10. The Carbon Balance of the Tropical Forest Biome. 11. The Carbon Balance of Forest Soils: Detectability of Changes in Soil Carbon Stocks in Temperate and Boreal Forests. 12. Fractional Contributions Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Respiration to Soil-surface CO2 Efflux in Boreal Forests. 13. Trace Gas and Contributions of Peatlands to Global Warming Potential. 14. Contribution of Trace Gases Nitrous Oxide (N2O) and Methane (CH4) to the Atmospheric Warming Balance of Forest Biomes. 15. Effects of Reforestation, Deforestation and Afforestation on Carbon Storage in Soils. 16. Carbon Forestry.
A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of Multisystemic Therapy in the Netherlands

Objective In the present randomized controlled trial, the effectiveness of multisyste-mic therapy (MST) in The Netherlands was examined. Moderator tests were conducted for ethnicity, age and gender. Methods The sample consisted of N 0 256 adolescents, referred because of conduct problems, and randomized to MST or treatment as usual (TAU). Assessments (questionnaires and observational ratings) took place before and immediately after the treatment. Results MST was more effective than TAU in decreasing externalizing behavior, ODD, CD and property offences, but not for violence. Findings were mixed for adolescents ’ and parental cognitions: the MST group, compared to TAU, showed an improvement in parental sense of competence, and a decrease in adolescents ’ hostility, but no change in self-esteem and an increase in personal failure. MST was effective for positive dimensions of parenting and associations with prosocial peers, but not for relationships with deviant peers. MST was equally effective for adolescents of different ages and with different ethnicities. However, MST showed larger (and more positive) effects for adolescent cognitions for boys than for girls.
Ranking analysis of flyash – basalt fibre – polyamide 66 polymer composites based on the mechanical and sliding wear performance metrics using hybrid AHP-R method

This research work investigates the physical, mechanical, thermal, thermo-mechanical, and dry sliding wear characteristics of hybrid flyash particulates (F-class; 0 – 20 wt.% at the step of 5%)–basalt fibres (chopped; fixed 10 wt.%) reinforced polyamide 66 polymer composites fabricated using the twin screw extruder and injection moulding machine. Taguchi's design of experiment optimization approach is used for parameter optimization of the dry sliding wear process, followed by analysis of variance analysis. Further, the hybrid AHP-R method is used for ranking optimization based on the performance metrics. It is observed that the composition having 15 wt. % flyash particulates optimizes overall performance metrics, hence recommended for industrial parts fabrications. It has an experimental density of 1.23 g/cc, voids content of 5.93%, water absorption of 4.21%, tensile strength of 110.73 MPa, flexural strength of 146.72 MPa, Rockwell hardness of 62.44 HRM, fracture toughness of 4.17 MPa√m, impact strength of 2.06 J, the thermal conductivity of 1.24 W/mK, and specific wear rate of 7.55 × 10−4 mm3/Nm. The overall subjective ranking of the hybrid polymer composites attunes with the objective ranking by the hybrid AHP-R method.
Optic Coherence Tomography Angiography in Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a progressive microvascular disease considerer as the most important cause of acquired vision loss in the world. OCT angiography (OCT-A) has drastically improved the diagnosis and follow-up of DR showing alterations before changes in the fundus will be visible. With OCT-A, it is possible to quantify several parameters such as the macular vascular density (MVD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ). This new technique will be important for early detection, followup, and monitoring treatment response. OCTA is a very promising image technique that is continually improving and offers numerous advantages over FA in DR management; nevertheless, there are technical limitations that must be improved.
The Relationship between Force Platform Measures and Total Body Center of Mass

The ability of a person to maintain stable posture is essential for activities of daily living. Research in this field has evolved to include sensitive assessment technology including force platforms and 3-dimensional kinematic motion analysis systems. Although many studies have investigated postural stability under the auspice of posturography and the use of force platforms, relatively few have incorporated kinematic motion analysis techniques. Furthermore, of the studies that have utilized a multivariate research model, none have sought to identify the relationship between force platform measures including both the variation of movement of the x- and y-coordinates of the center of pressure (COP), and the 3-dimensional coordinates of the total body center of mass (COM). This study used a descriptive design to evaluate the relationship between force platform measures and the kinematic measures dealing with the total body COM in 14 healthy participants (height = 1.70 ± 0.09 m, mass = 67.7 ± 9.9 kg; age = 24.9 ± 3.8 yrs). Intraclass correlations (ICC) and standard error of measurements (SEM) were determined for common variables of interest used in standard posturography models. The results suggest that the variation of the excursion of the COP coordinates best represent the variation of the total body COM in the x- and y-directions. There was a force platform measure that correlated significantly with the vertical component of total body COM in only 3 of the 8 conditions. The ICC values obtained when analyzing individual conditions revealed that the variation in the force measurements were much more reliable than those representing the variation in movement of the COP, suggesting a need for the development of higher order methods of modeling 3-dimensional COM information from force platforms.
Influence of Librarians' Attitudes on Users' Patronage in Private University Libraries in Lagos State, Nigeria

The study investigated the influence of librarians' attitudes on users' patronage in private university libraries in Lagos State, Nigeria. Survey design was used for the study. The study population comprised 5,616 undergraduates in five selected private university libraries in Lagos State, Nigeria. The sample size of 365 was determined using Research Advisor’s Table. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the participants and questionnaire was used to collect data. The collected data was analyzed using frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation, and simple linear regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis. The findings of the study revealed that three dimensions of librarians’ job attitude measured; interpersonal relationship (M=3.28), professionalism (M=3.16), and perception and image (M=2.97) were all highly rated by the respondents. The study further revealed that the librarians’ attitudes significantly influenced library patronage of undergraduates in private university libraries in Lagos State, Nigeria (R2= 0.034, β = 0.185, t(300) = 3.263, p < 0.05). The study concluded that librarians’ attitudes had a significant influence on library patronage in private university libraries in Lagos State. Based on the outcome of the study, it is recommended that the librarians should increase their self-confidence by being proactive and strive to be in the forefront of university activities in order to gain more visibility and launder the image of their profession.
Diurnal variation of marine stratocumulus over San Nicolas Island during the FIRE IFO

Preliminary analysis was made of data collected at San Nicolas Island during the Intensive Field Observation (IFO) phase of the First International Satellite Cloud Climatology Program's Regional Experiment (FIRE). Of particular interest was an examination of a distinct diurnal variation in the cloud properties, despite an apparent absence of diurnal forcing from the surface. Direct or indirect radiative modulation of such clouds, as proposed by Fravalo at el. (1981) and Turton and Nicholls (1987) indeed seems likely. Preliminary observational evidence for diurnal change in the marine stratocumulus adjacent to San Nicolas Island is presented. A comparison is then made between the observed behavior and predictions from theoretical models of the interactive effect of radiation on boundary layer clouds.
Confirmation of a Meteoritic Component in Libyan Desert Glass from Osmium-Isotopic Data

Libyan Desert Glass (LDG) is an enigmatic type of natural glass, which occurs in a 6500 km2 strewn field located between sand dunes of the southwestern corner of the Great Sand Sea in western Egypt. The glass is very silica-rich at about 96.5–99 wt% SiO 2, and shows a limited variation in major and trace element abundances (e.g., [1]). Some cristobalite inclusions occur, but otherwise the LDG, which has an age of about 28 Ma, is perfectly glassy. Although the origin of LDG is still debated by some workers, an origin by impact seems most likely. There are, however, some differences to "classical" impact glasses, which occur in most cases directly at or within an impact crater. Evidence for an impact origin includes the presence of schlieren and partly digested mineral phases, lechatelierite (a hightemperature mineral melt of quartz), baddeleyite, a high temperature breakdown product of zircon. The rare earth element abundance patterns are indicative of a sedimentary precursor rock, and the trace element abundances and ratios are in agreement with a upper crustal source. There is a s imilarity between LDG major and trace element abundances and Srand Nd-isotopic compositions, and the respective values for rocks from the B.P. and Oasis impact structures in eastern Libya [2], but lack of age information for the two Libyan structures precludes a definitive conclusion. There have also been suggestions that Tunguska-like atmospheric explosions could have melted surface sands and rocks, forming LDG in this way [3]. However, there are some good indications for the presence of a meteoritic component in LDG [e.g., 1,4]. Rare dark layers and streaks within LDG samples show enrichments in the siderophile elements, including Ir, indicating about 0.5% of a chondritic component [e.g., 1]. To confirm the presence of a meteoritic component, the Os isotopic composition of dark LDG layers was analyzed by NTIMS (see [5] for details and background). The analyses were difficult, because of the small size of the brown schlieren and problems to isolate mainly schlieren-rich material. The best sample, with the highest Os content, was found to contain 0.626 ppb Os, 0.0237 ppb Re, and a Os/Os-isotopic ratio of 0.1276. Samples with lower Os abundances have higher isotopic ratios. Crustal Sr and Nd isotopic values exclude a significant mantle component; thus, the Os abundances and isotopic values conform the presence of a meteoritic component in LDG. This observation is difficult to reconcile with an airburst model, because it requires physical mixing between meteoritic and crustal matter in liquid form.
A rapid assessment of cave occupancy for Pacific sheath-tailed bats (fanihin ganas, Emballonura semicaudata rotensis ) and Mariana swiftlets (chachaguak, Aerodramus bartschi ) on Aguiguan, Mariana Islands

— Aguiguan is an uninhabited island in the Mariana archipelago that contains populations of four federally threatened or endangered species or subspecies endemic to the Mariana Islands. Although wildlife populations have been comprehensively surveyed in the past, the island does not receive consistent monitoring effort. We report here incidental observations from two expeditions to Aguiguan in 2021, including mammal, reptile, bird and invertebrate sightings, with a particular focus on cave occupancy by Mariana swiftlets (chachaguak, Aerodramus bartschi ) and Pacific sheath-tailed bats (fanihin ganas, Emballonura semicaudata rotensis ). In 2021, seven caves were surveyed; five were occupied by Mariana swiftlets and four by Pacific sheath-tailed bats. We counted a total of 322 Pacific sheath-tailed bats at East Black Noddy Cave, with small numbers of bats ( n = 2-50) present at three other caves. A total of 111 Mariana swiftlets were counted at Guano Cave, and 29 at Pillar Cave. In addition to sheath-tailed bats and swiftlets, we documented observations of eight other forest bird species, two other mammal species, one lizard species, and three invertebrate species, including a suspected first record of paper wasp ( Ropalidia marginata sundaica ) on Aguiguan. Our observations can be used to inform future survey effort on this island, and provide evidence of persisting populations of common, threatened, and endangered species in this understudied region. Opportunistic observations of
THE EFFECT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION ON STUDENTS' SCOPE START-UP ACTIVITIES

The main aim of this article is to determine the effect of Entrepreneurial Education (EE) on students’ scope start-up activities (SSSA). The study sought also to examine the mediating role of three entrepreneurial characteristics as known subjective norm (SN), Entrepreneurial Attitude (EA), and Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) between EE and SSSA. A total of 120 questionnaires were collected from students in three institutions of Sfax university. Relationships between the variables were evaluated using factor analysis, reliability, correlations, descriptive statistics, and regression. The findings show a positive and significant influence of entrepreneurship education on the three entrepreneurial characteristics (EA, SN, PBC) and consequently on the student-scope startup activities. Further implications and limitations are also discussed in this article. Keywords: entrepreneurship education; entrepreneurial attitude; subjective norms; Perceived Behavioral Control; students’ scope start-up activities (SSS).
The Maritime Traditions of the Fishermen of Socotra, Yemen

The Socotra archipelago lies approximately 135 nautical miles northeast of Cape Guardafui, Somalia and 205 nautical miles south of Rās Fartaq, Yemen. The archipelago is made up of four main islands, Socotra, <Abd al-Kūri, Sam+a and Darsa, of which Socotra is the largest and most densely populated. The population of Socotra is divided between the interior pastoralists and the coastal fishermen and traders. While scholarly studies concerning the interior population abound, the fishermen of Socotra have received very little attention and little about them or their traditions is known. This thesis seeks to address this balance by studying their maritime traditions and asking the question, how have social, environmental and technological influences shaped the maritime traditions of the fishermen of Socotra? The primary data forming the basis of this study is my ethnographic fieldwork carried out on the islands of Socotra and Sam+a between 2009 and 2010. This data is incorporated within a transdisciplinary framework that looks at some of the essential factors of historical, archaeological and environmental evidence to gain a holistic insight into the spatial and temporal factors affecting the maritime traditions of the fishermen. This study argues several important points. The first is that the fishermen’s maritime traditions on Socotra are governed by their length of involvement in fishing and understanding of the environment they are operating within. Secondly, their fishing practices are influenced by social and economic demands, which have a direct impact on the vessels and equipment they use. Thirdly, the environment and landscape plays a major role in the fishermen’s techniques and practices. Finally, it also argues that there is not a singular, uniform maritime tradition for the entire island of Socotra, but that there are numerous regional variations.
Avalanche Starting Zones Below the Timber Linestructure of Forest

Avalanches starting in small clearings of forests are not uncommon in Switzerland. Forests covering steep slopes are the main means to shelter roads and buildings from the adverse effects of avalanches. It is therefore of great interest which density of trees and maximal size of clearings are permissible. During the winters 1986 to 1991 most of the avalanches starting below the timber line in the Swiss alps have been surveyed. The survey is looking at the topographic features of the starting zone using high resolution topographic maps, the snow profile at the crown of the avalanche, the weather conditions from the moment of the release five days backward, and a detailed measurement of the forest structure within the starting zone and a the same measurements in the immediate vicinity of the starting zone. In total more than 50 parameters are measured. The statistical evaluation shows the importance of tree density and size of clearings for avalanche release. The different tree communities are not equally efficient in preventing avalanches. This difference is difficult to influence, because it is caused by the local climate and soil type. In the zone with mixed stands of the evergreen spruce (Picea abies) and the deciduous larch (Larix larix) as well as in pure larch stands the density of the trees seems to be of greater importance than the species. Unfortunately, most pure larch stands are dispersed, which may lead to the impression that they are worse than evergreen trees.
University of Groningen Interactions between carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in metabolic disorders

Type 2 diabetes in humans is associated with increased de novo lipogenesis (DNL), increased fatty acid (FA)-fluxes, decreased FA oxidation and hepatic steatosis. In this condition, VLDL production is increased and resistant to suppressive effects of insulin. The relationships between hepatic FA metabolism, steatosis and VLDL production are incompletely understood. We investigated VLDL-triglyceride and apolipoprotein (apo)B production in relation to DNL and insulin sensitivity in female ob/ob mice. Hepatic triglyceride (5-fold) and cholesteryl ester (15-fold) contents were increased in ob/ob mice compared to lean controls. Hepatic DNL was increased ~10-fold in ob/ob mice whereas hepatic cholesterol synthesis was not affected. Basal rates of hepatic VLDL-triglyceride and apoB100 production were similar between the groups. Hyperinsulinemic clamping reduced VLDL-triglyceride and -apoB100 production rates by ~60 % and ~75 %, respectively, in lean mice but only by ~20 % and ~20 %, respectively, in ob/ob mice. No differences in hepatic expression of genes encoding apoB and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein were found. Hepatic expression and protein phosphorylation of insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate-isoforms were reduced in ob/ob mice. Thus, strongly induced hepatic DNL is not associated with increased VLDL production in ob/ob mice, possibly related to differential hepatic zonation of apoB synthesis (periportal) and lipid accumulation (perivenous) and/or relatively low rates of cholesterogenesis. Insulin is unable to effectively suppress VLDL-triglyceride production in ob/ob mice, presumably due to impaired insulin signaling. De novo lipogenesis and VLDL production in ob/ob mice 93
Global well‐posedness for incompressible flow in porous media with partial diffusion or fractional diffusion

This paper examines the equation of heat transfer with fractional diffusion or partial diffusion of an incompressible fluid in a porous medium. We establish two main results. The first result is the global regularity for the equation with partial diffusion when the norm of initial datum in H1(R3) is small. The second result is to show that for the supercritical case, the equation with fractional diffusion has a unique global solution provided that the norm of initial datum in the Besov space Ḃp,∞s(R3) with s≥1−α+3p is small.