Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF SOME FACTORS ON THE SOUND ABSORPTION CHARACTERISTICS OF WOOD FROM SCOTS PINE

The aim of the current study was to trace the variations in the frequency-dependent sound absorption coefficient of flooring and wall lining material, made out of Scots pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.) wood, depending on the thickness of the material and the type of the protective coating. The sound absorption has been assessed at the frequency range from 250 Hz to 2 kHz, on details with the following thickness: 20, 30 and 40 mm, and three different surface coatings: water-soluble lacquer (acrylic lacquer), polyurethane lacquer (two components) and hard wax oil for wood. The results obtained would be useful to determine the total equivalent sound absorption area of a room in order to provide the necessary acoustic characteristics. The tests were carried out using an impedance tube, according to the requirements of EN ISO 10534.
The Influence of Teachers‟ Use Resources on Students‟ Attitudes towards Mathematics among Secondary School Students

This study examined the influence of teachers’ use of resources on students’ attitudes towards mathematics in Laikipia Country, Kenya. Descriptive research design was utilized in the study. The target population consisted of 8357 Form Four students from 113 secondary schools in the County. Simple randon sampling was employed to select the sample schools, sample classes, and respondents. A sample of 412 respondents consisting of 392 students and 20 mathematics teachers was selected from the sample classes using Krejcie and Morgan’s table of sample sizes. A self –administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Cronbach’s alpha was used to determine the reliability of research instruments. Data was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and simple regression analysis at . 05 level of significance. The study revealed that teachers’ use of resources makes a significant contribution in the development of students’ attitudes towards mathematics. The study concludes that for development of positive attitudes, teachers should make available a variety of relevant resources in teaching and learning.
ANALYTICAL STUDIES OF IMPERFECT INTERFACE SUBJECTED TO ELASTIC BULK WAVE

Studies on elastic waves interacting with imperfect interfaces are relevant in many practical applications, such as the acoustic testing for detection of damages and cracks in solids. The present analysis considers a contact problem between an elastic half-space and a restrained rigid surface. A simplified mathematical model of the imperfect interface is established in the presence of bulk wave excitation. We start with an initial assumption that the half-space is perfectly bonded to the rigid surface. The different wave fields at the interface are then corrected by a linear superposition of secondary solutions to satisfy the conditions of interfacial imperfection. Based on a direct linear relation between the interfacial slip and traction, a simple linear spring model is used to model the imperfection. Also, at such an interface, the available traction fields may cause formation of gap in the form of a globule. Interestingly, due to the gap and imperfection at the interface, the dynamics of the elastic medium involves both inequality and equality constraints. The various interfacial fields are thus interrupted at either or both the ends of a gap. The effects of degree of imperfection, excitation parameters and material properties on the interface dynamics have been studied and discussed.
Architectural Techniques to Enhance DRAM Scaling

For decades,mainmemory has enjoyed the continuous scaling of its physical substrate: DRAM(DynamicRandomAccessMemory). But now,DRAMscaling has reached a thresholdwhereDRAMcells cannot bemade smaller without jeopardizing their robustness. This thesis identifies two specific challenges to DRAM scaling, and presents architectural techniques to overcome them. First, DRAMcells are becoming less reliable. AsDRAMprocess technology scales down to smaller dimensions, it is more likely for DRAM cells to electrically interfere with each other’s operation. We confirm this by exposing the vulnerability of the latest DRAM chips to a reliability problem called disturbance errors. By reading repeatedly from the same cell in DRAM, we show that it is possible to corrupt the data stored in nearby cells. We demonstrate this phenomenon on Intel and AMD systems using a malicious program that generates many DRAM accesses. We provide an extensive characterization of the errors, as well as their behavior, using a custom-built testing platform. After examining various potential ways of addressing the problem, we propose a low-overhead solution that effectively prevents the errors through a collaborative effort between the DRAM chips and the DRAM controller. Second, DRAM cells are becoming slower due to worsening variation in DRAMprocess technology. To alleviate the latency bottleneck, we propose to unlock fine-grained parallelism within a DRAM chip so that many accesses can be served at the same time. We take a close look at how a DRAM chip is internally organized, and find that it is divided
The effect of corruption on economic growth in the BRICS countries. A panel data analysis

This paper examines the effect of corruption on economic growth in the BRICS countries using panel dataset spanning the period 1996 to 2014. Empirical results indicate that controlling for only heterogeneity (fixed effect) leads to a negative association between output growth and corruption index. However, when heterogeneity and endogeneity are accounted for (GMM specifications), the corruption index exhibits a positive and significant effect on economic growth. While this result is contrary to a large body of empirical evidence, bar a few, which has found corruption to have a detrimental impact on economic growth, the growth impact of corruption does indeed decreases with the level of corruption. This suggests a possible corruption level from which, the relation might lead to opposite effects.
Dengue Reemergence: The Challenges Ahead

The global expansion of competent Dengue vectors in tropical and sub-tropical areas, and the favorable conditions for disease transmission demonstrates a critical public health challenge ahead. This review provides an insight into some key underlying gaps while attempting to suggest alternatives towards the containment and hence eradication of Dengue. The non-existence of an efficient vaccine against all DENV serotypes and the rapid global emergence of COVID-19, are undermining the complexities of vaccine development and disrupting global health efforts for the management of Dengue respectively. The development of sustainable DENV control programs now requires a multifaceted approach involving the integration of the recently developed multi-platforms application in entomological surveillance, community awareness, modelling, vaccination, vector control, and also ensuring that Dengue control efforts are not hampered or neglected during COVID-19 pandemic. This approach requires active collaboration and communication of scientists from various disciplines, economic support from funding agencies and institutions as well as support from the communities, governments and public health organizations.
Molecular phylogeny of the Helicodontidae and Trissexodontidae (Gastropoda)

Gómez‐Moliner, B.J., Elejalde, A.M., Arrébola, J.R. , Puente, A.I., Martínez‐Ortí, A. , Ruiz, A. & Madeira, MJ. (2012). Molecular phylogeny of the Helicodontidae and Trissexodontidae (Gastropoda). —Zoologica Scripta, 00, 000–000.
Microfluidic system for screening disease based on physical properties of blood

Introduction: A key feature of the 'One Health' concept pertains to the design of novel point of care systems for largescale screening of health of the population residing in resource-limited areas of low- and middle-income countries with a view to obtaining data at a community level as a rationale to achieve better public health outcomes. The physical properties of blood are different for different samples. Our study involved the development of an innovative system architecture based upon the physical properties of blood using automated classifiers to enable large-scale screening of the health of the population living in resource-limited settings. Methods: The proposed system consisted of a simple, robust and low-cost sensor with capabilities to sense and measure even the minute changes in the physical properties of blood samples. In this system, the viscosity of blood was derived from a power-law model coupled with the Rabinowitsch-Mooney correction for non-Newtonian shear rates developed in a steady laminar Poiseuille flow. Surface tension was measured by solving the Young-Laplace equation for pendant drop shape hanging on a vertical needle. An anticipated outcome of this study would be the development of a novel automated classifier based upon the rheological attributes of blood. This automated classifier would have potential application in evaluating the health status of a population at regional and global levels. Results: The proposed system was used to measure the physical properties of various samples like normal, tuberculous and anemic blood samples. The results showed that the physical properties of these samples were different as compared to normal blood samples. The major advantage of this system was low-cost, as well as its simplicity and portability. Conclusion: In this work, we proposed making a case for the validation of a low-cost version of a microfluidic system capable of scanning large populations for a variety of diseases as per the WHO mandate of "One Health".
Molecular and Epidemiological Studies on Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC) with Special Reference to IBR in Alexandria and El-Behera Governorates

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most important cause of clinical disease and death in feedlot cattle. Respiratory viral infections are key components in predisposing cattle to the development of this disease, which allow secondary bacterial infection and disease development. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of bovine respiratory disease complex in beef farms at Alexandria and Elbehera Governorates. Six beef farms have 3230 fattening calves 6-12 months age were clinically examined for respiratory disease complex. 971 animals were having respiratory signs at a percentage of 30% with variable prevalence in the 6 farms. Deep nasal swabs were collected from diseased animals and investigated for Bovine herpesvirus type one (BHV-1) by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for bacteriological examination. PCR could detect BHV-1 infection in 3 samples out of 40 samples examined and the main bacteria isolated from diseased animals were Pasteurella multocida and Pseudomonas aerugeinosa. In conclusion, Bovine herpesvirus type one is one of the major pathogens causing respiratory signs in beef cattle and predispose cattle to bovine respiratory disease complex. And pastuerella multocida is secondary bacterial invader which cause the disease. The role of pseudomonas aeruginosa as a causes of respiratory diseases needs further studies.
Assessing the Monetary Value of Vehicle-to-Grid Considering Battery Degradation: Agent-Based Approach

Electrification of the transport sector is increasing the electricity demand in the energy system. On the other hand, penetration of renewable energy sources is increasing the intermittency in the power system, posing the challenge in the real-time balancing of the electricity supply and demand. With V2G or bi-directional charging, it is possible to link both the system in a way that can provide synergistic benefits to both. In V2G research, system benefits have been studied thoroughly in the past compared to EV user benefits of V2G services. Moreover, research on EV user benefits lacks the socio-technical approach that takes into account user behaviour, social values, and business models.Considering above mentioned research gaps, in this thesis, V2G monetary benefits are researched for the EV users in the Netherlands. The study specifically focuses on EV users trading at spot market in the Netherlands while providing V2G storage (arbitrage). Moreover, simplistic battery degradation cost and lifetime economic analysis have also taken into consideration for the calculation of V2G net benefits. This research has been conducted under SparkCity agent-based model framework, which has been developed at the Eindhoven University of Technology and currently maintained by Zenmo simulations in the Netherlands.Agent-based modelling approach comprises the heterogeneous behaviours and characteristics of the agents (EV users), their collective influence on the spot market and individual agent’s V2G benefits which are affected by the global change in prices of the spot market. V2G charging strategy has been compared with baseline charging strategy and cost-based charging strategy for the comparison of the benefits. EV users with diverse characteristics in the neighbourhood have been compared to study the effects of individual characteristics on monetary benefits. Simulation has been run for three different years with varying EV adoption rate and renewable energy penetration into the energy system.Results show V2G as a promising solution for the energy system with high renewable and EVs. It can provide a tremendous amount of flexibility and storage to the system and offset the storage costs into the future energy system. However, V2G benefits for EV users under spot market are lower comparing to other market mechanisms. It might be less attractive for users to provide storage for a more extended period with comparably less profit gain. Moreover, battery degradation costs are higher taking into consideration current battery prices. However, with more PV installation in the renewable mix, the potential to gain benefits during the day time increase significantly.
The Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin, Sousa chinensis (Osbeck, 1765), in Australian Waters: a Summary of current knowledge

Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) occur in the coastal northern waters of Australia from approximately the Queensland – New South Wales border (31°27primeS, 152°55primeE) to Ningaloo Reef (22°17primeS, 113°48primeE) in Western Australia. Due to their coastal, estuarine distribution, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins are particularly vulnerable to several human activities in and adjacent to coastal areas. At present, it is not possible to assess the population status of humpback dolphins in Australian waters because information on their biology and ecology is limited. The sparse data available for selected areas indicate that humpback dolphins occur in discrete, geographically localized populations and are susceptible to anthropogenic threats (e.g., incidental captures in gill nets). The conservation of humpback dolphins in Australia's northern coastline will depend on the maintenance of high-quality habitat in areas that are already under some protection, the identification of critical habitats, the inclusion of these habitats in the rezoning initiatives of protected areas, and the reduction of conservation threats. Precautionary measures should be adopted while further work on abundance estimates, population structure, and levels of human-caused mortality are carried out on a wider scale in Australian waters.
Step II Facets of Community Leaders: Comparisons to the National Sample and Comparisons Between Community Leaders of Different Ethnicities, Genders, and Ages

Community leaders (N = 1,677) from rural communities and reservations throughout the state of Minnesota took the MBTI Step II instrument as part of an 8-day leadership training program. Facet results for the community leaders were quite diverse, with all categories of Step II facet scores represented on every facet. Over 50% of the participants in the ethnic groups of Caucasians, American Indians, and Hispanics endorsed the Initiating and Active facet poles. Over 50% of the Caucasians also endorsed the Expressive, Gregarious, Enthusiastic, Logical, and Planful facet poles. More than 50% of the Hispanics also endorsed the Expressive, Enthusiastic, Experiential, Accepting, and Planful poles. Very few statistical differences were apparent between Step II facet results of the ethnic groups. Caucasians scored more toward Expressive, Enthusiastic, Logical and Systematic than American Indians. American Indians scored more toward Casual than Caucasians. Hispanics scored more toward Accommodating than either the Caucasian or American Indian groups. Most results reflected cultural hallmarks of these groups. There were a number of gender differences in the mean facet scores of the community leaders, although these were often on the same facets as in a national represen71 Journal of Psychological Type More than thirty years of publishing research articles related to the theory and applications of psychological type and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator instrument. Published by the Center for Applications of Psychological Type Thomas G. Carskadon, Ph.D., Founding Editor ISSN 1938-3290 Issue 2 JUN 11 In a study of community leaders, there were greater differences when comparing their MBTI® Step IITM facets to the national normative sample than when comparing ethnic, gender, and age groups with the community leaders. C A P T ® Step II Facets of Community Leaders: Comparisons to the National Sample and Comparisons Between Community Leaders of Different Ethnicities, Genders, and Ages Jean M. Kummerow Nicole A. Herk Jean Kummerow & Associates LLC CPP, Inc.
The thermal-radiative wind in the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary GX 13 + 1

We fit the observed high ionisation X-ray absorption lines in the neutron star binary GX13+1 with a full simulation of a thermal-radiative wind. This uses a radiation hydrodynamic code coupled to Monte Carlo radiation transfer to compute the observed line profiles from Hydrogen and Helium-like iron and Nickel, including all strong K{\alpha} and K{\beta} transitions. The wind is very strong as this object has a very large disc and is very luminous. The absorption lines from Fe K{\alpha} are strongly saturated as the ion columns are large, so the line equivalent widths (EWs) depend sensitively on the velocity structure. We additionally simulate the lines including isotropic turbulence at the level of the azimuthal and radial velocities. We fit these models to the Fe xxv and xxvi absorption lines seen in the highest resolution Chandra third order HETGS data. These data already rule out the addition of turbulence at the level of the radial velocity of ~500 km/s. The velocity structure predicted by the thermal-radiative wind alone is a fairly good match to the observed profile, with an upper limit to additional turbulence at the level of the azimuthal velocity of ~100 km/s. This gives stringent constraints on any remaining contribution from magnetic acceleration.
Error Correction Codes for COVID-19 Virus and Antibody Testing: Using Pooled Testing to Increase Test Reliability

We consider a novel method to increase the reliability of COVID-19 virus or antibody tests by using specially designed pooled testings. Instead of testing nasal swab or blood samples from individual persons, we propose to test mixtures of samples from many individuals. The pooled sample testing method proposed in this paper also serves a different purpose: for increasing test reliability and providing accurate diagnoses even if the tests themselves are not very accurate. Our method uses ideas from compressed sensing and error-correction coding to correct for a certain number of errors in the test results. The intuition is that when each individual's sample is part of many pooled sample mixtures, the test results from all of the sample mixtures contain redundant information about each individual's diagnosis, which can be exploited to automatically correct for wrong test results in exactly the same way that error correction codes correct errors introduced in noisy communication channels. While such redundancy can also be achieved by simply testing each individual's sample multiple times, we present simulations and theoretical arguments that show that our method is significantly more efficient in increasing diagnostic accuracy. In contrast to group testing and compressed sensing which aim to reduce the number of required tests, this proposed error correction code idea purposefully uses pooled testing to increase test accuracy, and works not only in the "undersampling" regime, but also in the "oversampling" regime, where the number of tests is bigger than the number of subjects. The results in this paper run against traditional beliefs that, "even though pooled testing increased test capacity, pooled testings were less reliable than testing individuals separately. "
Learning enables adaptation in cooperation for multi-player stochastic games

Interactions among individuals in natural populations often occur in a dynamically changing environment. Understanding the role of environmental variation in population dynamics has long been a central topic in theoretical ecology and population biology. However, the key question of how individuals, in the middle of challenging social dilemmas (e.g. the ‘tragedy of the commons’), modulate their behaviours to adapt to the fluctuation of the environment has not yet been addressed satisfactorily. Using evolutionary game theory, we develop a framework of stochastic games that incorporates the adaptive mechanism of reinforcement learning to investigate whether cooperative behaviours can evolve in the ever-changing group interaction environment. When the action choices of players are just slightly influenced by past reinforcements, we construct an analytical condition to determine whether cooperation can be favoured over defection. Intuitively, this condition reveals why and how the environment can mediate cooperative dilemmas. Under our model architecture, we also compare this learning mechanism with two non-learning decision rules, and we find that learning significantly improves the propensity for cooperation in weak social dilemmas, and, in sharp contrast, hinders cooperation in strong social dilemmas. Our results suggest that in complex social–ecological dilemmas, learning enables the adaptation of individuals to varying environments.
Online Visual Place Recognition via Saliency Re-identification

As an essential component of visual simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), place recognition is crucial for robot navigation and autonomous driving. Existing methods often formulate visual place recognition as feature matching, which is computationally expensive for many robotic applications with limited computing power, e.g., autonomous driving and cleaning robot. Inspired by the fact that human beings always recognize a place by remembering salient regions or landmarks that are more attractive or interesting than others, we formulate visual place recognition as saliency reidentification. In the meanwhile, we propose to perform both saliency detection and re-identification in frequency domain, in which all operations become element-wise. The experiments show that our proposed method achieves competitive accuracy and much higher speed than the state-of-the-art feature-based methods. The proposed method is open-sourced and available at https://github.com/wh200720041/SRLCD.git.