Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning in Automated Text Categorisation

The automated categorisation (or classification) of texts into topical categories has a long history, dating back at least to the early ’60s. Until the late ’80s, the most effective approach to the problem seemed to be that of manually building automatic classifiers by means of knowledgeengineering techniques, i.e. manually defining a set of rules encoding expert knowledge on how to classify documents under a given set of categories. In the ’90s, with the booming production and availability of on-line documents, automated text categorisation has witnessed an increased and renewed interest, prompted by which the machine learning paradigm to automatic classifier construction has emerged and definitely superseded the knowledge-engineering approach. Within the machine learning paradigm, a general inductive process (called the learner) automatically builds a classifier (also called the rule, or the hypothesis) by “learning”, from a set of previously classified documents, the characteristics of one or more categories. The advantages of this approach are a very good effectiveness, a considerable savings in terms of expert manpower, and domain independence. In this survey we look at the main approaches that have been taken towards automatic text categorisation within the general machine learning paradigm. Issues pertaining to document indexing, classifier construction, and classifier evaluation, will be discussed in detail. A final section will be devoted to the techniques that have specifically been devised for an emerging application such as the automatic classification of Web pages into “Yahoo! -like” hierarchically structured sets of categories.
Limitations of mobile phone learning

In this paper, we will describe the weaknesses inherent in, and some non-viable factors of mobile phone learning (PDA and other mobile devices are not included). Our conclusion is that while e-learning has only just been accepted by educators and is increasingly being put into extensive and effective use for learning, m-learning, especially its main delivery system, mobile phone learning, will have a long way to go to before it can or will be effectively, extensively used or accepted for learning purposes, by either educators or the general public, unless the problems raised in this article are solved.
Quantifying shape, integration, and ecology in avian pedal claws: comparing geometric morphometric and traditional metric approaches

Terrestrial tetrapods use their claws to interact with their environments in a plethora of ways. Birds in particular have developed a diversity of claw shapes since they are not bound to terrestrial locomotion and have heterogeneous body masses ranging several orders of magnitude. Numerous previous studies have hypothesized a connection between pedal claw shape and ecological mode in birds, but have generated conflicting results, spanning from clear ecological groupings based on claw shape to a complete overlap of ecological modes. These studies have relied on traditional morphometric arc measurements of keratinous sheaths and have variably accounted for likely confounding factors such as body mass and phylogenetic relatedness. To better address the hypothesized relationship between ecology and claw shape in birds, 580 radiographs were collected allowing visualization of the bony core and keratinous sheath shape spanning 21 avian orders. A new method was used to quantify claw shape using geometric morphometrics and was compared to results using traditional arc measurements. Neither traditional nor geometric morphometrics are capable of significantly separating bird claws into coarse ecological categories after integrating body size and phylogenetic relatedness. Further, the bony claw core and keratinous sheath are significantly integrated with one another, suggesting that they function as a single unit. Therefore, it is likely possible to compare fossil bony cores with extant keratinous sheaths after applying corrections. Finally, traditional metrics and geometric morphometric shape are significantly, yet loosely correlated, and geometric morphometric data better distinguish ecological groups in morphospace than is possible with traditional metrics. Based on these results, future workers are encouraged to use geometric morphometric approaches to study claw geometry and account for confounding factors such as body size, phylogeny, and individual variation prior to predicting ecology in fossil taxa.
Giving a virtual Voice to the Silent Language of Culture

This paper presents a Web-based, cross-cultural, curricular initiative entitled Cultura, designed to develop foreign language students' understanding of foreign cultural attitudes, concepts, beliefs, and ways of interacting and looking at the world. Our focus will be on the pedagogy of electronic media, with particular emphasis on the ways in which the Web can be used to reveal those invisible aspects of a foreign culture, thereby giving a voice to the elusive "silent language" 1 and empowering students to construct their own approach to crosscultural literacy. We examine these new areas of cultural knowledge which the Web now renders accessible and attempt to redefine the meaning of foreign language "teaching" in the new world of networked communication.
Response of deep groundwater to land use change in desert basins of the Trans‐Pecos region, Texas, USA: Effects on infiltration, recharge, and nitrogen fluxes

Quantifying the effects of anthropogenic processes on groundwater in arid regions can be complicated by thick unsaturated zones with long transit times. Human activities can alter water and nutrient fluxes, but their impact on groundwater is not always clear. This study of basins in the Trans‐Pecos region of Texas links anthropogenic land use and vegetation change with alterations to unsaturated zone fluxes and regional increases in basin groundwater NO3− concentrations. Median increases in groundwater NO3− (by 0.7–0.9 mg‐N/l over periods ranging from 10 to 50+ years) occurred despite low precipitation (220–360 mm/year), high potential evapotranspiration (~1570 mm/year), and thick unsaturated zones (10–150+ m). Recent model simulations indicate net infiltration and groundwater recharge can occur beneath Trans‐Pecos basin floors, and may have increased due to irrigation and vegetation change. These processes were investigated further with chemical and isotopic data from groundwater and unsaturated zone cores. Some unsaturated zone solute profiles indicate flushing of natural salt accumulations has occurred. Results are consistent with human‐influenced flushing of naturally accumulated unsaturated zone nitrogen as an important source of NO3− to the groundwater. Regional mass balance calculations indicate the mass of natural unsaturated zone NO3− (122–910 kg‐N/ha) was sufficient to cause the observed groundwater NO3− increases, especially if augmented locally with the addition of fertilizer N. Groundwater NO3− trends can be explained by small volumes of high NO3− modern recharge mixed with larger volumes of older groundwater in wells. This study illustrates the importance of combining long‐term monitoring and targeted process studies to improve understanding of human impacts on recharge and nutrient cycling in arid regions, which are vulnerable to the effects of climate change and increasing human reliance on dryland ecosystems.
Treatment interruption of biological drugs and tofacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review of case reports

The aim of this study was to evaluate interruption of treatment with biological drugs and tofacitinib due to adverse events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A systematic review was performed in the electronic databases MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus, CRD, IPA, Lilacs and Scielo. Case reports addressing interruption of treatment due to any adverse event related to abatacept (ABA), adalimumab (ADA), anakinra (ANA), certolizumab pegol (CER), etanercept (ETA), golimumab (GOL), infliximab (IFX), rituximab (RTX), secukinumab (SEC), tocilizumab (TCZ), tofacitinib (TOF) or ustekinumab (UST) in rheumatoid arthritis patients were evaluated. Baseline data, patient profile, previous and current treatments, cause of discontinuation and information on reintroduction of treatment were extracted from the case reports. One hundred and fifty-four studies (154 patients) reported 162 discontinuations of rheumatoid arthritis treatment due to adverse events (ETA = 57; IFX = 46; ADA = 32; TCZ = 13; RTX = 5; ANA = 3; GOL = 2; ABA = 2; TOF = 1; CER = 1; SEC = 0 and UST = 0). The mean age of patients was 56 (± 12.1) years and 82% were female. Seventy-four adverse events were confirmed (related to used drug), and 138 were observed in patients using anti-TNF. The most common adverse events were infections (21%), skin disease (15%), autoimmune disease (13%) and hematological disorders (9%). Case reports are important in the detection of rare adverse events and should be considered in the choice of appropriate therapy for patients.
Causal Effects of Monetary Shocks: Semiparametric Conditional Independence Tests with a Multinomial Propensity Score

Macroeconomists have long been concerned with the causal effects of monetary policy. When the identification of causal effects is based on a selection-on-observables assumption, non-causality amounts to the conditional independence of outcomes and policy changes. This paper develops a semiparametric test for conditional independence in time series models linking a multinomial policy variable with unobserved potential outcomes. Our approach to conditional independence testing is motivated by earlier parametric tests, as in Romer and Romer (1989, 1994, 2004). The procedure developed here is semiparametric in the sense that we model the process determining the distribution of treatment – the policy propensity score – but leave the model for outcomes unspecified. A conceptual innovation is that we adapt the cross-sectional potential outcomes framework to a time series setting. This leads to a generalized definition of Sims (1980) causality. A technical contribution is the development of root-T consistent distribution-free inference methods for full conditional independence testing, appropriate for dependent data and allowing for first-step estimation of the propensity score.
Simultaneous analysis of neopterin, kynurenine and tryptophan by amine-HPLC shows minor oxidative stress from short-term exhaustion exercise

Abstract Introduction: Neopterin, kynurenine and tryptophan can be used to measure activation of monocytes and macrophages during immunological events such as exercise inducing inflammation. Endurance exercise and high-impact sports have shown significant increases in these biomarkers. Measurement is typically conducted by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using C18 or SCX columns. However, kynurenine and tryptophan are not measured simultaneously to neopterin using these separation systems. Here we have used an amine column for separation and simultaneous determination of neopterin, kynurenine and tryptophan. Methods: Optimization and validation for the amine-HPLC method was conducted using plasma from 43 participants subjected to a short maximal exercise bicycling regime or rest period. The order of exercise and rest was randomized and separated by a 3-5 week washout period. Results: Using an amine column developed with ammonium acetate formic acid (33%) and acetonitrile (72%) provided optimal separation and run time for analysis. Neopterin increased significantly post-exercise and subsided to baseline by 30 minutes. Total neopterin remained elevated until 60 minutes following exercise. Conclusion: Amine-HPLC can be used for simultaneous determination of kynurenine, tryptophan and neopterin in plasma. Short intense exercise causes a significant increase in plasma neopterin suggesting a prolonged activation of monocytes and macrophages.
International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE)

Received May 18, 2021 Revised Jun 10, 2022 Accepted Jun 30, 2022 Education for sustainable development (ESD) is a truly positive measure. This study was unique in that it made students aware of the positive qualities. Therefore, ESD is crucial to be inculcated among students. If the students are provided with in-depth knowledge related to sustainable development, hence it is not impossible for the sustainable development concept to come true. The study was conducted at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Perak, Malaysia. The respondents involved are geography students who have undergone teacher training in semester 7 and semester 8. This study also focused on the level of knowledge and the level of mastery among trainee teachers on ESD. In addition, this study was carried out for the trainee teachers to obtain the data the on the implementation of ESD values in teaching and learning (T&L) of geography subjects via a survey. Result showed that T&L of geography subjects shall be interesting and challenging so that students can enjoy fun learning. Teachers need to be smart in finding approaches to be tailored to the curriculum, especially in the geography subjects.
Beyond the Net Generation Debate: A Comparison of Digital Learners in Face-to-Face and Virtual Universities

In the last decade, an important debate has arisen about the characteristics of today’s students due to their intensive experience as users of ICT. The main belief is that frequent use of technologies in everyday life implies that competent users are able to transfer their digital skills to learning activities. However, empirical studies developed in different countries reveal similar results suggesting that the “digital native” label does not provide evidence of a better use of technology to support learning. The debate has to go beyond the characteristics of the new generation and focus on the implications of being a learner in a digitalised world. This paper is based on the hypothesis that the use of technology to support learning is not related to whether a student belongs to the Net Generation, but that it is mainly influenced by the teaching model. The study compares behaviour and preferences towards ICT use in two groups of university students: face-to-face students and online students. A questionnaire was applied to a sample of students from five universities with different characteristics (one offers online education and four offer face-to-face education with LMS teaching support). Begoña Gros and Iolanda Garcia Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Spain Anna Escofet Universitat de Barcelona, Spain Beyond the Net Generation Debate: A Comparison of Digital Learners in Face-to-Face and Virtual Universities Gros, Garcia, and Escofet Vol 13 | No 4 Research Articles October 2012 191 Findings suggest that although access to and use of ICT is widespread, the influence of teaching methodology is very decisive. For academic purposes, students seem to respond to the requirements of their courses, programmes, and universities. There is a clear relationship between students’ perception of usefulness regarding certain ICT resources and their teachers’ suggested uses of technologies. The most highly rated technologies correspond with those proposed by teachers. The study shows that the educational model (face-to-face or online) has a stronger influence on students’ perception of usefulness regarding ICT support for learning than the fact of being a digital native.
A method of hybrid MT for related languages

The paper introduces a hybrid approach to a very specific field in machine translation — the translation of closely related languages. It mentions previous experiments performed for closely related Scandinavian, Slavic, Turkic and Romanic languages and describes a novel method, a combination of a simple shallow parser of the source language (Czech) combined with a stochastic ranker of (parts of) sentences in the target language (Slovak, Russian). The ranker exploits a simple stochastic model of the target language and its main task is to choose the best translation among those provided by the system. The last section of the paper presents results indicating better translation quality compared to the existing MT system for Czech and Slovak and compares them top the results obtained by the translation from Czech to Russian using the same system.
Improving the coverage criteria of UML state machines using data flow analysis

A number of coverage criteria have been proposed for testing classes and class clusters modeled with state machines. Previous research has revealed their limitations in terms of their capability to detect faults. As these criteria can be considered to execute the control flow structure of the state machine, we are investigating how data flow information can be used to improve them in the context of UML state machines. More specifically, we investigate how such data flow analysis can be used to further refine the selection of a cost‐effective test suite among alternative, adequate test suites for a given state machine criterion. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology to perform data flow analysis of UML state machines—with a specific focus on identifying the data flow from OCL guard conditions and operation contracts—and applies it to a widely referenced coverage criterion, the round‐trip path (transition tree) criterion. It reports on two case studies whose results show that data flow information can be used to select the best transition tree, in terms of cost effectiveness, when more than one satisfies the transition tree criterion. The results also suggest that different trees are complementary in terms of the data flow that they exercise, thus, leading to the detection of intersecting but distinct subsets of faults. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recovering the C lipped OFDM F igure B ased on the C onic F unction

— In Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems, the peak to average power ratio (PAR) is much high. The clipping signal scheme is a useful method to reduce PAR. Clipping the OFDM signal, however, increases the overall noise level by introducing clipping noise. It is necessary to recover the figure of the original signal at receiver in order to reduce the clipping noise. Considering the continuity of the signal and the figure of the peak, we obtain a certain conic function curve to replace the clipped signal module within the clipping time. The results of simulation show that the proposed scheme can reduce the systems’ BER (bit-error rate) 10 times when signal-to-interference-and noise-ratio (SINR) equals to 12dB. And the BER performance of the proposed scheme is superior to that of kim’s scheme, too.
Measurement Campaign on Transmit Delay Diversity for Mobile DVB-T/H Systems

This paper describes the work carried out by Brunel University and Broadreach Systems (UK) to quantify the advantages that can be achieved if Transmit Delay Diversity is applied to systems employing the DVB standard. The techniques investigated can be applied to standard receiver equipment without modification. An extensive and carefully planned field trial was performed during the winter of 2007/2008 in Uxbridge (UK) to validate predictions from theoretical modeling and laboratory simulations. The transmissions were performed in the 730 MHz frequency band with a DVB-T/H transmitter and a mean power of 18.4 dBW. The impact of the transmit antenna separation and the MPE-FEC was also investigated. It is shown that transmit delay diversity significantly improves the quality of reception in fast fading mobile broadcasting applications.
A DVERSARIAL A

Black-box adversarial attacks require a large number of attempts before finding successful adversarial examples that are visually indistinguishable from the original input. Current approaches relying on substitute model training, gradient estimation or genetic algorithms often require an excessive number of queries. Therefore, they are not suitable for real-world systems where the maximum query number is limited due to cost. We propose a query-efficient black-box attack which uses Bayesian optimisation in combination with Bayesian model selection to optimise over the adversarial perturbation and the optimal degree of search space dimension reduction. We demonstrate empirically that our method can achieve comparable success rates with 2-5 times fewer queries compared to previous stateof-the-art black-box attacks.
Particle Size-Segregation and Spontaneous Levee Formation in Geophysical Granular Flows

Particle size-segregation can have an important feedback on the bulk flow of geophysical granular avalanches. As a polydisperse material travels downhill the larger particles rise to the surface, where they are preferentially sheared to the flow front. This coarse-rich region experiences a greater resistance to motion and the large particles are shouldered aside to form lateral levees. Wider flows may break down into a series of these lobate, ‘finger-like’ structures. In either case, the static leveed regions channelise the finer, more mobile interior, causing the resulting run-out distances to be significantly enhanced. Modelling segregation-mobility feedback effects is therefore crucial for hazard mitigation. A new class of depth-averaged continuum models is introduced that describes the transport of large particles as well as the granular rheology. The feedback arises from a basal friction law that is composition dependent, implying greater friction where there are more large particles. Numerical simulations are used to show the spontaneous formation of leveed fingers.
A Computerized Algorithm for Arousal Detection in Healthy Adults and Patients With Parkinson Disease

Summary Arousals occur from all sleep stages and can be identified as abrupt electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) changes. Manual scoring of arousals is time consuming with low interscore agreement. The aim of this study was to design an arousal detection algorithm capable of detecting arousals from non–rapid eye movement (REM) and REM sleep, independent of the subject's age and disease. The proposed algorithm uses features from EEG, EMG, and the manual sleep stage scoring as input to a feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN). The performance of the algorithm has been assessed using polysomnographic (PSG) recordings from a total of 24 subjects. Eight of the subjects were diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD) and the rest (16) were healthy adults in various ages. The performance of the algorithm was validated in 3 settings: testing on the 8 patients with PD using the leave-one-out method, testing on the 16 healthy adults using the leave-one-out method, and finally testing on all 24 subjects using a 4-fold crossvalidation. For these 3 validations, the sensitivities were 89.8%, 90.3%, and 89.4%, and the positive predictive values (PPVs) were 88.8%, 89.4%, and 86.1%. These results are high compared with those of previously presented arousal detection algorithms and especially compared with the high interscore variability of manual scorings.
ScholarWorks @ UVM ScholarWorks @ UVM

While most studies on the digital divide in the United States focus on disparities in access to computers and the Internet, this study examines the digital divide in Internet information searching. With data from 476 Vermont households surveyed in 2009, a double–hurdle model is used to identify the factors that impact the likelihood and frequency of using the Internet for information searching. Empirical results suggest that there are significant disparities in both the likelihood and frequency of online information searching in Vermont and that these disparities are closely associated with several socioeconomic and demographic factors such as education level, income, and age. Also, the impacts of some variables on the likelihood to use the Internet to search for information are different from their impacts on the frequency of using the Internet for information searching. These research findings are expected to be useful when developing programs and policies for reducing the digital divide