Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Search of the Macroeconomic Effects of Capital Account Liberalization

Empirical evidence on the macroeconomic benefits of capital account liberalization is scarce. This paper considers two popular explanations of this phenomenon: (i) that any benefits of capital account liberalization are offset by the greater volatility it brings; and (ii) that the benefits of capital account liberalization can only be realized in countries with sound institutions and policies. Neither of these explanations withstands empirical scrutiny.
Ultrasonic sensor based approach for identifying the camera ROI

Image segmentation and classification is a tough when there are partial occlusion, reflection, and shadows in the image which increase false alarms. This paper describes the method for defining regions of interest in an image using ultrasonic sensors data which will be further used for image segmentation and classification. Sensors mounted in the view of the camera are calibrated for their position with respect to the camera to the relative distance between the human and robot. Depending on these calibration parameters, the image is divided into number of regions that is equivalent to number of sensors.
Quantification of DNA using the luminescent oxygen channeling assay.

BACKGROUND Simplified and cost-effective methods for the detection and quantification of nucleic acid targets are still a challenge in molecular diagnostics. METHODS Luminescent oxygen channeling assay (LOCI(TM)) latex particles can be conjugated to synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides and hybridized, via linking probes, to different DNA targets. These oligomer-conjugated LOCI particles survive thermocycling in a PCR reaction and allow quantified detection of DNA targets in both real-time and endpoint formats. The endpoint DNA quantification format utilized two sensitizer bead types that are sensitive to separate illumination wavelengths. These two bead types were uniquely annealed to target or control amplicons, and separate illuminations generated time-resolved chemiluminescence, which distinguished the two amplicon types. RESULTS In the endpoint method, ratios of the two signals allowed determination of the target DNA concentration over a three-log range. The real-time format allowed quantification of the DNA target over a six-log range with a linear relationship between threshold cycle and log of the number of DNA targets. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of the use of an oligomer-labeled latex particle assay capable of producing DNA quantification and sequence-specific chemiluminescent signals in a homogeneous format. It is also the first report of the generation of two signals from a LOCI assay. The methods described here have been shown to be easily adaptable to new DNA targets because of the generic nature of the oligomer-labeled LOCI particles.
Heuristic Scheduling of Grid Workflows Supporting Co-Allocation and Advance Reservation

Applications to be executed in grid computing environments become more and more complex and usually consist of multiple interdependent tasks. The coordinated execution of such tightly or loosely coupled tasks often requires simultaneous access to different grid resources. This leads to the problem of resource co-allocation. Efficient and robust scheduling algorithms have to be developed that can cope with the Grid's large- scale distribution, a high number of competing and demanding applications, the inherent resource heterogeneity and the often limited view on resource availability. In this paper, we present two heuristic scheduling algorithms that are based on a well-known list scheduling algorithm and both support co- allocation and advance resource reservation. Our first algorithm preserves the run-time efficiency of greedy list schedulers while the second approach incorporates more sophisticated search techniques in order to achieve better results with respect to the performance metrics. Both algorithms have been implemented within a grid simulation framework. An extensive simulation study was conducted to evaluate and compare the performance of both algorithms. It showed the general suitability of our enhanced list scheduling heuristics within heterogeneous grid environments.
Spatial dynamics of large-scale, multistage crab (Callinectes sapidus) dispersal: determinants and consequences for recruitment

We assessed determinants and consequences of multistage dispersal on spatial recruitment of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, within the Croatan, Albemarle, Pamlico Estuarine System (CAPES), North Carolina, U.S.A. Large-scale sampling of early juvenile crabs over 4 years indicated that spatial abundance patterns were size-dependent and resulted from primary post-larval dispersal (pre-settlement) and secondary juvenile dispersal (early post-settlement). In general, primary dispersal led to high abundances within more seaward habitats, whereas secondary dispersal (which was relatively consistent) expanded the distribution of juveniles, potentially increasing the estuarine nursery capacity. There were strong relationships between juvenile crab density and specific wind characteristics; however, these patterns were spatially explicit. Various physical processes (e.g., seasonal wind events, timing and magnitude of tropical cyclones) interacted to influence dispersal during multiple stages and determined crab.
The Geometric Approach for Indexing XML data

Nowadays, the topic of native XML databases becomes very hot. Native XML databases allow to store and efficiently query for XML data. In this paper we introduce the geometric framework for XML data storage and retrieval. Our approach exploits the properties of vector spaces for structural indexing of XML and efficient exact matching queries while the second model uses the properties of metric spaces and thus is suitable for similarity queries on XML. The former model we have realized with the UB-tree and the latter with the M-tree data structures.
A design of cross-terminal web system based on JSON and REST

A cross-terminal web system refers to a web system which can be accessed through various terminal platforms, including the web browsers on personal computers, the mobile applications on smart phones and so on. Traditional design of such a system usually uses XML data format and RPCful web services. There are some issues lying in this design such as the low efficiency of data exchange, the complex interfaces, and the difficulty in modifying and expanding. Therefore, it can not meet the demands of designing a cross-terminal case well. In order to solve the issues, a system design based on JSON data format and RESTful web services is presented, which has high efficiency of data exchange, simple interfaces and convenience for modification and expansion. The design also provides good support for the cross-terminal case.
Geographical Factors Affecting Bed Net Ownership, a Tool for the Elimination of Anopheles-Transmitted Lymphatic Filariasis in Hard-to-Reach Communities

Vector control, including the use of bed nets, is recommended as a possible strategy for eliminating lymphatic filariasis (LF) in post-conflict countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study examined the geographical factors that influence bed net ownership in DRC in order to identify hard-to-reach communities that need to be better targeted. In particular, urban/rural differences and the influence of population density, proximity to cities and health facilities, plus access to major transport networks were investigated. Demographic and Health Survey geo-referenced cluster level data were used to map bed net coverage (proportion of households with at least one of any type of bed net or at least one insecticide-treated net (ITN)), and ITN density (ITNs per person) for 260 clusters. Bivariate and multiple logistic or Poisson regression analyses were used to determine significant relationships. Overall, bed net (30%) and ITN (9%) coverage were very low with significant differences found between urban and rural clusters. In rural clusters, ITN coverage/density was positively correlated with population density (r = 0.25, 0.27 respectively, p<0.01), and negatively with the distance to the two largest cities, Kinshasa or Lubumbashi (r = −0.28, −0.30 respectively, p<0.0001). Further, ownership was significantly negatively correlated with distance to primary national roads and railways (all three measures), distance to main rivers (any bed net only) and distance to the nearest health facility (ITNs only). Logistic and Poisson regression models fitted to the rural cluster data indicated that, after controlling for measured covariates, ownership levels in the Bas-Congo province close to Kinshasa were much larger than that of other provinces. This was most noticeable when considering ITN coverage (odds ratio: 5.3, 95% CI: 3.67–7.70). This analysis provides key insights into the barriers of bed net ownership, which will help inform both LF and malaria bed net distribution campaigns as part of an integrated vector management strategy.
IMPACT OF HIP JOINT MISPLACEMENT ON KINEMATICS AND KINETICS DURING GOLF SWING

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the hip joint center misplacement on both hip kinematics and kinetics during golf swing with inverse approaches. One highly skilled golfer performed a swing movement recorded with a motion capture system and 2 forceplates. The 3D bone geometries were reconstructed through biplanar fullbody radiograph and dedicated software. Hip joint center were modified by 2cm into 6 configurations around the reference and both inverse kinematics and kinetics were performed. Errors in hip kinematics were up to 21%, up to 8% in Xfactor and up to 19% in hip kinetics. Authors advice coaches to be careful when calibrating measurement devices and to be aware of the difficulty to compare kinematics and kinetics between golfers.
What the words do not say: SFS for children under the light of social semiotic theory case study: ‘Horis sosivio’1

Abstract The research on short stories for children has focused in Greece mostly on their literary, pedagogical, linguistic and educational aspects. This paper attempts to approach Short Form Stories for children under the light of social semiotics, the main elements being the author’s choices in sign-creation process and its interpretation by the reader. In the case of short stories, the recipient is the child, who for the first time tries to decode without help the verbal text and to enter - symbolically but also in reality – to the literate society. This moment of the reader's first encounter with a multimodal text is crucial to her/his future reading behaviour. The paper examines the concept of the ‘Horis sosivio’ (without lifejacket) series, as evidenced at the level of visual design and the combination of text and image for the construction of meaning, as well as the interpretation of the visual text by preschool children as participants in meaning production.
A New Biobrick Assembly Strategy Designed for Facile Protein Engineering

The existing biobrick assembly technique[1] provides a straightforward way to combine standardized biological components, termed biobricks. This system, however, is limited in that each protein-encoding biobrick must contain a complete translated region. Signal sequences or other protein domains often convey a specific function to the protein to which they are attached; hence, each domain should be considered an independent biological part. With the current assembly technique, assembling such parts is not possible. This paper presents a revised assembly strategy that is compatible with the current biobrick definition and permits the construction of fusion proteins.
Psychological adaptation to childhood cancer

Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence, time course, and predictors of benefit finding (BF) in adolescents with cancer during the first year post-diagnosis. Methods: Thirty-three consecutively newly diagnosed adolescents with cancer (11-18 years) (83% response rate) completed the benefit finding scale for children at 6 and 12 months post-diagnosis. Data on the sociodemographic and medical correlates of benefit finding were collected by questionnaire or obtained from the medical record. Results: Results indicated the presence of benefit finding at 6 months postdiagnosis. Benefit finding remained stable from 6 to 12 months post-diagnosis. Higher education, better health status and better physical functioning were associated with higher levels of benefit finding. Benefit finding was unrelated to age, gender, treatment status and severity. Conclusions: The present study, which is the first longitudinal study on benefit finding in pediatric oncology, fits in with the adult literature that benefit finding in cancer patients starts to emerge relatively early in the cancer trajectory. More research is needed to determine what will happen with benefit finding over time. It would be especially relevant to study benefit finding in a larger sample, starting more closely to diagnosis and follow them up for a longer period of time. Chapter 6 Introduction
A critique of using grounded theory as a research method

Grounded Theory is a powerful research method for collecting and analysing research data. It was 'discovered' by Glaser & Strauss (1967) in the 1960s but is still not widely used or understood by researchers in some industries or PhD students in some science disciplines. This paper demonstrates the steps in the method and describes the difficulties encountered in applying Grounded Theory (GT). A fundamental part of the analysis method in GT is the derivation of codes, concepts and categories. Codes and coding are explained and illustrated in Section 3. Merging the codes to discover emerging concepts is a central part of the GT method and is shown in Section 4. Glaser and Strauss's constant comparison step is applied and illustrated so that the emerging categories can be seen coming from the concepts and leading to the emergent theory grounded in the data in Section 5. However, the initial applications of the GT method did have difficulties. Problems encountered when using the method are described to inform the reader of the realities of the approach. The data used in the illustrative analysis comes from recent IS/IT Case Study research into configuration management (CM) and the use of commercially available computer products (COTS). Why and how the GT approach was appropriate is explained in Section 6. However, the focus is on reporting GT as a research method rather than the results of the Case Study.
Congestion prices as feedback signals: an approach to QoS management

Recently there has been a renewed interest in the application of economic models to the management of computational resources. Most of this interest is focused on pricing models for the Internet; in particular, on congestion or shadow prices, that address the phenomenon of what economists call external costs --- users are exposed to the costs they impose on other users when causing congestion of a resource.This paper describes how congestion prices can be applied to resource management in operating systems. Shadow prices are interpreted as feedback signals to applications which can adjust their resource requirements according to an application-specific strategy. This leads to a decentralised approach of resource management where applications are enabled and encouraged to perform resource and quality tradeoffs themselves. We have implemented a simulation environment and a number of strategies to evaluate the usefulness of congestion prices as a feedback signal and demonstrate that this approach can offer different service levels to different tasks. We also discuss how the simulation results can be applied in a real operating system and how this work can be extended to form a generic resource management framework.
UPQ: An effective packet scheduling algorithm for delay-sensitive service in NGEO satellite network

In multihop NGEO satellite network (MSN), given the un-uniform user distribution in satellite footprints, and further affected by topology variations and link capacity jitters, the inter-satellite links (ISLs) are expected to endure wildly volatile traffic load and even suffer from severe congestion. This leads to the poor quality of service (QoS) for the delay-sensitive flows. To alleviate this problem, a novel delay-sensitive packet scheduling algorithm, referred to as Urgency-based Priority Queuing (UPQ), is proposed. It is formulated by making significant improvements in two aspects on basis of the Priority Queuing (PQ) algorithm. First, the flow scheduling priority is adjusted according to end-to-end delay performance in real-time, in purpose of ensuring timely access to bandwidth resource for the delay-urgent flows and avoiding the resource waste on the flows which have blocked on downstream links; second, the bandwidth quantity allocated to each flow is restricted according to the end-to-end delay, thus to promote the fairness of UPQ and improve the delay guarantee efficiency for multiple flows. The UPQ algorithm is evaluated via simulation against a range of traffic intensity and is compared to the typical Weighted Round Robin (WRR) algorithm and the PQ algorithm. Result suggests that the UPQ algorithm improves the delay guarantee performance in terms of reducing the delay QoS interruption rate and increasing in-time delivered packet ratio.
Performance analysis of ZF and MMSE equalizers for MIMO systems

This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the zero forcing (ZF) and minimum mean squared error (MMSE) equalizers applied to wireless multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems with no fewer receive than transmit antennas. In spite of much prior work on this subject, we reveal several new and surprising analytical results in terms of output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), by comparing the Bit Error Rate (BER) and the average detection time consuming. Simulation based on the platform of MATLAB. We discuss the case where there a multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas resulting in the formation of a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) channel with Zero Forcing equalizer, MIMO with MMSE equalizer, MIMO with ZF Successive Interference Cancellation equalizer, MIMO with ML equalization, MIMO with MMSE SIC and optimal ordering.
The CKM matrix and the unitarity triangle: another look

The unitarity triangle can be determined by means of two measurements of its sides or angles. Assuming the same relative errors on the angles (fi;fl;∞) and the sides (Rb;Rt), we flnd that the pairs (∞;fl) and (∞;Rb) are most e-cient in determining (" " ·) that describe the apex of the unitarity triangle. They are followed by (fi;fl), (fi;Rb), (Rt;fl), (Rt;Rb) and (Rb;fl). As the set jVusj, jVcbj, Rt and fl appears to be the best candidate for the fundamental set of ∞avour violating parameters in the coming years, we show various constraints on the CKM matrix in the (Rt;fl) plane. Using the best available input we determine the universal unitarity triangle for models with minimal ∞avour violation (MFV) and compare it with the one in the Standard Model. We present allowed ranges for sin2fl, sin2fi, ∞, Rb, Rt and ¢Ms within the Standard Model and MFV models. We also update the allowed range for the function Ftt that parametrizes various MFV-models.
Estrogen receptor alpha gene polymorphisms associated with incident aging macula disorder.

PURPOSE It has been suggested that early menopause increases the risk of aging-macula disorder (AMD), the major cause of incurable blindness with a dry and wet late subtype, and that exposure to endogenous or postmenopausal exogenous estrogens reduces this risk. This study was undertaken to investigate whether genetic variations in the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene are associated with incident AMD. METHODS In the Rotterdam Study, a prospective population-based cohort study of participants aged 55 years and older, associations between ESR1 PvuII-XbaI haplotypes and incident early or late AMD were studied in 4571 participants after a mean follow-up time of 7.7 years. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with adjustment for the most common confounders. RESULTS ESR1 PvuII-XbaI haplotype 1 was a risk factor for late AMD. Persons with two copies of haplotype 1 were at 3.20 (95% CI, 1.47-6.99) times higher risk for late AMD than noncarriers of haplotype 1, after adjustment for age and sex. This increase was more pronounced for wet AMD (hazard ratio [HR] 4.29; 95% CI, 1.47-12.49) after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, and complement factor H genotype. Correction for additional confounders, including age at menopause, use of hormone replacement therapy, blood pressure, and body mass index did not essentially alter the findings. CONCLUSIONS Persons with one or two copies of ESR1 PvuII-XbaI haplotype 1 have an increased risk of late AMD, especially of the wet form.
An effective hybrid optimization algorithm for the flow shop scheduling problem

This paper presents a new multi-swarm co-evolutionary algorithm named parallel particle swam optimization (PPSO) on the basis of standard PSO algorithm. Simulated annealing (SA) algorithm was introduced to increase escaping probability from local optima. By reasonably combining the PPSO with SA, we develop a general, fast and easily implemented hybrid optimization algorithm, and apply it to solve flow shop scheduling problem. Comparing results indicate that the new hybrid method is an effective and competitive approach for the flow shop scheduling problem.
‘Highlander Ithimu yezwe lonke!’: intersections of Highlanders FC fandom and Ndebele ethnic nationalism in Zimbabwe

Abstract Football is one of the most emotive cultural forms through which people experience and express nationalism. The study demonstrates intersections of Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League (PSL) team – Highlanders FC fandom and Ndebele ethnic nationalism in Zimbabwe. This nationalism challenges state narratives of a ‘united Zimbabwe’ and advocates for secession of Bulawayo and Matabeleland provinces to form an ‘independent Ndebele nation’. Literature on Zimbabwean football has under-theorized its interface with football discourse. The author was an observer as participant in Zimbabwean football stadia for a four-year period observing terrace rituals, especially songs and chants during Highlanders FC matches. In-depth interviews were also conducted with selected fans to get clarity on observed issues. The study concludes that while discussing secession is criminalized and condemned as ‘tribalism’ in Zimbabwe, Highlanders FC fandom is a critical site where some people express feelings and aspirations towards establishment of a separate ‘independent Ndebele nation’.
Texture tiling on arbitrary topological surfaces using wang tiles

Synthesizing textures on arbitrary surfaces is a time consuming process. We have to analyze the surface geometry and map texture values onto the input surface adaptively. Texture tiling provides an alternative approach by decoupling the texture synthesis process into two steps: surface mapping and tile placement. This paper reformulates the texture tiling mechanism of Wang tiles for arbitrary topological surfaces. Once we created a low distortion conformal map from the input surface to a quad-based geometry, we can generate a tiling graph over the geometric dual graph of the quad-based geometry, and produce a proper tile orientation on all quad faces so that we can layout textured tiles on quads and map texture back to the input surface accordingly. Since tile placement is independent of the input surface geometry, we can perform the tiling process in no time and change texture pattern on the input surface simply by switching a tile set. No additional computation is needed. As a demonstration, we experimented texture tiling of Wang tiles on spheres, polycubes, as well as polycube-mapped models.