Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Confidence Intervals for the Ratio of the Means of Two Normal Distributions with One Variance Unknown

: In this paper, we proposes confidence intervals for the ratio of normal means with one variance unknown based on the generalized confidence interval (GCI) approach, the method of variance estimates recovery (MOVER), and a Bootstrap technique (Bootstrap confidence interval (BCI). The coverage probabilities and expected lengths of these confidence intervals were then compared via a Monte Carlo simulation.The simulation results indicated that the MOVER approaches are satisfactory in terms of the coverage probability. The results indicate that the MOVER confidence intervals are better than those constructed via the GCI and BCI. The expected lengths of the MOVER approach are shorter than expected lengths of GCI and BCI. The coverage probabilities of the MOVER confidence intervals are more appropriate than those using the GCI and BCI. Simulation results show that the MOVER approach is satisfactory performances for all sample case which was presented by Thangjai et al. [19]. Our approaches are applied to an analysis of a real data set of drugs or treatments.
Shareholder Litigation Rights and Corporate Acquisitions

We examine the effect of shareholder litigation rights on managers' acquisition decisions. Our experimental design exploits a U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on July 2, 1999 that resulted in a reduction in shareholder class actions. We find that, since the ruling, firms in Ninth Circuit states acquire larger targets. Furthermore, acquirers' returns are lower in these states, especially for those with weaker corporate governance. Further analysis shows that value destruction is the result of managers' freedom to conduct empire-building acquisitions using overvalued equity. Overall, our findings indicate the importance of shareholder litigation as an external governance mechanism.
Personalized and Weakly Supervised Learning for Parkinson's Disease Symptom Detection

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that a? ffects approximately one million Americans. Medications exist to manage the symptoms, but doctors must periodically adjust dosage level and frequency as a patient's disease progresses. These adjustments are typically based on observations made during short clinic visits, which provide an incomplete picture of a patient's daily qualityof life. To provide a more accurate assessment of a patient's at-home experience, this thesis explores the use of wearable accelerometers for monitoring PD in the wild. A central challenge of this application is human variability, which makes it di? fficult for algorithms to generalize to \unseen" subjects who were not in the training set. This thesis investigates two major approaches to address this issue:(1) strati? ed algorithms for learning from in-the-wild data, and (2) personalization algorithms to actively adjust for human variability. A major challenge with in-the-wild data collection is obtaining labels of tremor symptoms. We developed a data collection protocol in which subjectsused a cellphone app to log the approximate ([0-33%], [33-66%], or [66-100%]) amount of tremor experienced within short time segments and collected in-the wilddata from six PD patients. We call these approximate percentages strati? ed labels, and we present a novel strati? ed weakly supervised learning technique that bene? fits from labels with this structure. Experiments demonstrated that thisnew technique leads to higher performance on this dataset compared to standard weakly supervised learning algorithms. Furthermore, strati? ed weakly supervisedalgorithms performed better on in-the-wild data than fully supervised algorithms trained on accurately labeled laboratory data. These fi? ndings suggest that collectingstrati? ed labels from each subject in the wild is more eff? ective than collecting accurate labels from other subjects in the laboratory. In summary, strati? ed learning provides a practical and effi? cient method for collecting weak labels in the-wild that greatly improves accuracy of person-specific PD tremor detection. This thesis also explores several unsupervised personalization algorithms, which either reweight the training data to align its distribution with the test data or learn a regression from distributions to classi? ers. We extended these personalization algorithms to the multiclass scenario. In our dataset, the personalizationalgorithms demonstrated modest improvement over non-personalized algorithms. We further analyzed the behavior of these algorithms with synthetic data, gaining insights into their limitations when learning appropriate weights. We addressed this issue by developing new constraints to the cost function, which improved performance on synthetic data, and experimented with global optimization.
Financial Stability of Conventional and Islamic Banks: Empirical Evidence

The aim of this paper is to study the stability of Islamic banks vs. conventional banks. Unlike previous works on this topic, we used profitability, solvency, productivity, investment and risk indicators, as well as macroeconomic indicators. Likewise, we used effectiveness and efficiency indicators, determined via the SFA and DEA method respectively. The banks in our sample were selected based on their contribution to the total assets of both types of finance. This selection method allowed us to have a global idea on the effectiveness, efficiency, risk and stability of the two banking sectors. This empirical investigation revealed that Sharia-compatible banks are more efficient than conventional banks. In contrast, Islamic banks are less efficient and riskier than conventional banks. They lose on average 5.795% and 3.9413% of their assets, respectively, as credit risk and operational risk. In terms of market risk, Islamic banks are less risky than conventional banks. They lost 3,214% of their assets over the 2004-2014 period, compared with 4,119% for conventional banks. All in all, the two types of institutions were able to resist the crisis despite the slight reduction in activity and the minimal decrease in their stability scores due to the decline in activity and the prudent policy they adopted.
Variation in growth and oxalic acid production by different crop isolates of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.

Six different culture media were used to study variation in growth characteristics of ten (10) different crop isolates of S. rolfsii viz., chickpea, cotton, wheat, isabgol, groundnut, sugar beet, tuberose, mango, tomato and bottle gourd and the results indicated that the growth rate of all the isoaltes were different on different media. The mean growth rate of these isolates were in the range of 16.49 to 22.24 mm/day. On Browns agar medium some S. rolfsii isolate formed the basidial stage. The oxalic acid production by these fungus was not correlated to biomass (mycelial mat) produced by S. rolfsii and varied significantly among different crop isolates. Production of oxalic acid was maximum during 14-21 days of mycelial growth of S. rolfsii. The culture filtrate of nine different crop isolates containing oxalic acid when tested on chickpea seedings exhibited variation in the mortality percentage of chickpea seedling. The mortality percentage was higher due to culture filtrate of sugar beet isolate followed by bottle gourd isolate, which was more due to more amount iof oxalic acid persent. The oxalic acid produced by Sclerotium rolfsii was non host specific.
Pengaruh Norma Subyektif, Kinerja Aparatur, Kejelasan Sasaran Anggaran, Prosocial Behavior Terhadap Transparansi Dan Akuntabilitas

This study aims to empirically analyze the influence of subjective norms, the performance of government officials, clarity of budget targets, and prosocial behavior on village financial transparency, the influence of subjective norms, performance of government officials, clarity of budget targets, prosocial behavior, and transparency on village financial accountability. The data source in this study uses primary data by distributing questionnaires to 20 villages in East Lombok Regency. The results of this study indicate that hypotheses (H1), (H2), and (H3) variables of subjective norms, performance of government officials, clarity of budget targets have a positive and significant effect on village financial transparency. Hypothesis (H4) prosocial behavior has a negative and significant effect on village financial transparency. Hypotheses (H5), (H6), and (H7), subjective norms, performance of government apparatus, and clarity of budget targets, have no effect and are significant to village financial accountability. prosocial behavior has a positive and significant effect on village financial accountability. Transparency has a negative and significant effect on village financial accountability. Keywords: Subjective Norms; Performance of Government Apparatus; Budget Target Clarity; Prosocial Behavior; Transparency; Accountability
Endothal concentration and exposure time relationships for the control of Eurasian watermilfoil and hydrilla.

Herbicide concentration and exposure time relation­ ships were determined for endothall (the dipotassium salt of 7-oxabicyclo [2,2,1] heptane-2,3dicarboxylic acid) and control of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriopyllum spicatum L.) and dioecious hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata L. F. Royle) under controlled-environment conditions. Sixteen en­ dothall concentration and exposure time combinations were tested for Eurasian watermilfoil: concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 5.0 mg acid equivalent (ae)/l; exposure times ranged from 2 to 72 hr. Twenty-seven endothall con­ centration and exposure time combinations were tested for hydrilla: concentrations ranged from 1.0 to 5.0 mg ae/l; exposure times ranged from 6 to 72 hr. Plant control was based on shoot and root biomass harvested at the end of the experiments. Weekly visual injury ratings were used to characterize efficacy during the course of the experiments. Plant control increased (biomass decreased), as either con­ centration or exposure time increased. A threshold level was reached in which a concentration/exposure time com­ bination provided satisfactory control. Severe Eurasian watermilfoil injury (> 85% biomass reduction) occurred when exposed to 0.5 mg ae/l for 48 hr, 1.0 mg ae/l for 36 hr, 3.0 mg ae/l for 18 hr, and 5.0 mg aell for 12 hr. Severe hydrilla injury (> 85% biomass reduction) occurred when exposed to 2.0 mg ae/l for 48 hr, and 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 mg aell for 24 hr. The 1.0 mg ae/l treatment failed to produce severe hydrilla injury at the maximum exposure time tested of 72 hr. Increased control of Eurasian watermilfoil and hydrilla is likely for treatments in systems where plants remain in contact with endothall concentrations and expo­ sure times greater than the developed threshold levels.
Experiences of Gamified and Automated Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Spider Phobia: Qualitative Study

Background Virtual reality exposure therapy is an efficacious treatment of anxiety disorders, and recent research suggests that such treatments can be automated, relying on gamification elements instead of a real-life therapist directing treatment. Such automated, gamified treatments could be disseminated without restrictions, helping to close the treatment gap for anxiety disorders. Despite initial findings suggesting high efficacy, very is little is known about how users experience this type of intervention. Objective The aim of this study was to examine user experiences of automated, gamified virtual reality exposure therapy using in-depth qualitative methods. Methods Seven participants were recruited from a parallel clinical trial comparing automated, gamified virtual reality exposure therapy for spider phobia against an in vivo exposure equivalent. Participants received the same virtual reality treatment as in the trial and completed a semistructured interview afterward. The transcribed material was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Many of the uncovered themes pertained directly or indirectly to a sense of presence in the virtual environment, both positive and negative. The automated format was perceived as natural and the gamification elements appear to have been successful in framing the experience not as psychotherapy devoid of a therapist but rather as a serious game with a psychotherapeutic goal. Conclusions Automated, gamified virtual reality exposure therapy appears to be an appealing treatment modality and to work by the intended mechanisms. Findings from the current study may guide the next generation of interventions and inform dissemination efforts and future qualitative research into user experiences.
Bacterial biofilms on the kelp Laminaria hyperborea

This thesis deals with bacterial communities in biofilms on the surfaces of the kelp Laminaria hyperborea and their roles in carbon cycling. Kelp forests are characterized by high biodiversity and productivity, and cycling of kelp-produced carbon is a vital yet poorly understood process in this ecosystem. Although bacteria are assumed to play a major role in kelp forest carbon cycling, the knowledge of the composition and diversity of the bacterial communities associated to kelp is limited. L. hyperborea and the bacterial biofilms on its surfaces were sampled at several kelp forest localities in the archipelago near Bergen, Norway at different times of the year. The biology of L. hyperborea is governed by seasonal factors. Its growth, chemical composition and exudation of dissolved organic carbon changes substantially during the course of the year. The seasonal dynamics of the biofilms were addressed in Paper I, using genetic fingerprinting and microscopic cell counting. There was a clear seasonal cycle of the bacterial community composition. The cell density of the biofilms on the lamina was the lowest during the active growth period of the kelp in spring. The diversity of the bacterial communities was also influenced by the seasonal growth cycle of the kelp. This was shown using pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene in Paper IV, revealing that bacterial species richness and evenness increased with kelp surface age. Bacteria belonging to Planctomycetes were frequently detected on kelp surface biofilms throughout the year. In Paper II, this bacterial group was found to be numerically dominant on kelp surfaces using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Several different lineages within Planctomycetes were detected using 16S rRNA gene clone libraries, and the most abundant clones belonged to yet uncultivated lineages. The biomass and exudates of kelp contain large quantities of organic material, such as polysaccharides, which may provide rich carbon sources for heterotrophic bacteria on kelp surfaces. By utilizing such kelp-derived carbon, these bacteria can play an important role in the ecosystem by contributing to carbon cycling. However, it is not known which bacteria are important in these processes and which carbon sources they utilize. The ability of kelp surface bacteria to utilize different kelp substances was investigated in Paper III
Pronoun Anaphor and Cataphor in Chinese

： Chinese pronoun anaphora and cataphora are different from those in English. The co-indexing judgment tests implemented by the present study indicate that for anaphora, only when the focus is on the head DP of the possessive phrase, the co-indexing between DP at possessive position and anaphor is possible. This can be explained by c-commanding instead of parameterized DP hypothesis since DP at possessive position c-commands pronoun anaphor but the focus shift will lead to the implicit raise of the head DP of the possessive phrase and change the structure. For cataphora, the pronoun cataphor at possessive position fails to co-index with DP and pronoun cataphor in sentences with C head can co-index with DP. It is argued that phase condition and visibility condition can explain cataphora in Chinese instead of the phase commanding theory since both phase condition and visibility condition can ensure the temporary location of cataphor for checking semantic match.
Effect of Different Bio-fertilizers on the Chlorophyll, Nitrogen and Vitamin E Content in Arachis hypogeae L. and Sesamum indicum L.

The peanut or ground nut (Arachis hypogeae L.) is a species in the legume or bean family (Fabaceae). Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a flowering plant belonging to the family Pedaliaceae. The present study was carried out to study the effect of different bio-fertilizers on the chlorophyll, nitrogen content on the 30th day of growth of the plants and Vitamin E content in the seeds after harvest of the two test crops. The bio-fertilizers used were Azospirillum, panchagavya, VAM fungi and a mixture of these three fertilizers. Control plant was maintained without any fertilizer application. The chlorophyll and nitrogen content seemed to be more in the plants treated with mixture of organic fertilizers in both the plants. The Vitamin E content were found to be higher in seeds obtained from Azospirillum treated plants in groundnut and VAM fungus treated plants in sesame.
Maintenance condition of some cyprinid species grown in a supervised system.

The researches from the present study had as main objective the determination of the maintenance condition for three cyprinid species (Cyprinus carpio, Carassius auratus gibelio and Aristichthys nobilis) of two summer-old from a systematic farm of Iasi County. For this we referred to the calculating on the values of height, fattening, quality and fleshy indices, which permit a subsequent morphological and physiological characterization of a fish population, from a certain exploitation or geographical area. As regards the methods of work, it were used the classical variants applied in the selection and melioration practice at fish, all the obtained results being rigorous analyzed and interpreted statistically, referring to the calculation of a big number of statistical parameters. Thus we can mention, on the basis of the average confidence interval limits that the corporal weight varies between 371.409-622.19 g in common carp, 131.263-263.936 g in Prussian carp and 648.111-955.888 g in bighead carp. Kiselev index values (1.09 in Prussian carp, 1.13 in common carp and 1.47 in bighead carp) and that of the profile one indicate a higher expressivity and a harmonious degree of development for Prussian carp and common carp, whereas the Fulton coefficient and the fleshy index classifies the bighead carp and the common carp on the first places as to the most accentuated degree of fattening, as well as the biggest percent weight of the head versus the standard length of the body.
Effects of different levels of soil moisture and indigenous organic amendments on the yield of boro rice grown under field condition

A field study was conducted to determine the potentials of moist (70% soil moisture) and saturated (> 100% soil moisture) soil conditions and organic amendments of rice straw compost (RSC), mustard meal (MM) and trichocompost (TC) on the selected rice varieties of BR 3, local BRRI dhan 29 and BRRI dhan 74 in relation to the growth and yield attributes of rice varieties. The rates of amendments were 0, 4, 8 t/ha for RSC; 0, 3, 6 t/ha for MM and 0, 2.5, 5 t/ha for TC. The maximum grain yield of 8.71 t/ha was attained from the RSC4ML100 and 8.58 t/ha from RSC4ML70 treatments. The moist condition of soil had almost similar effects on the number of productive tillers, grain yield, number of filled and fissured grains, 1000-grain weight and harvest index as compared to saturated condition along with the doses of RSC, MM and TC. The RSC (4 t/ha) was the superior treatment with respect to the growth and yield components of rice followed by the treatments of TC (2.5 t/ha) and MM (3 t/ha), irrespective of rice varieties and moisture levels. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 29(1): 87-96, 2020 (January)
Trans-Thoracic Echocardiographic Aortic Blood Flow Peak Velocity Variation, Distance Minute, Aortic Velocity Time Integral and Postoperative Outcome in Pediatric Surgical Patients—An Observational Pilot Study Protocol

Background: A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) has been elaborated where goal directed fluid and hemodynamic therapy (GDFHT) will be realized with trans-thoracic echocardiographic aortic blood flow peak velocity variation (ΔVpeak) and distance minute (DM) to guide fluid therapy and hemodynamics in high risk pediatric surgical patients. This RCT will clarify the impact of GDFHT with ΔVpeak and DM on postoperative outcome in terms of morbidity, length of stay in the intensive care unit (LOSICU), length of mechanical ventilation (LMV) and length of hospital stay (LOS) in children. To determine values of ΔVpeak, DM and VTI predictive of these postoperative outcomes, an observational pilot study will be realized. This pilot study is described here. The primary objective of this study is to determine values of ΔVpeak, DM and ITV predictive of postoperative outcome in children in terms of morbidity. The secondary objectives are to determine values of ΔVpeak, DM and ITV predictive of LOSICU, LMV, LOS, intraoperative, postoperative fluid administration and vasoactive-inotropic therapy. Methods: 500 - 1000 children aged less than 18 years will be included prospectively. Statistic analysis will be realized with XLSTAT 2019.4. 2 software or plus. Results and Conclusions: This trial protocol will determine values of ΔVpeak, DM and ITV with echocardiography predictive of postoperative outcome in children.