Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal analysis of intervention effects on temptations and stages of change for dietary fat using parallel process latent growth modeling

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a 20–35 percent daily intake of fat. Resisting the temptation to eat high-fat foods, in conjunction with stage of readiness to avoid these foods, has been shown to influence healthy behavior change. Data (N = 6516) from three randomized controlled trials were pooled to examine the relationships among direct intervention effects on temptations and stage of change for limiting high-fat foods. Findings demonstrate separate simultaneous growth processes in which baseline level of temptations, but not the rate of change in temptations, was significantly related to the change in readiness to avoid high-fat foods.
Interference in the Internet of Things with Sparse Code Multiple Access

A massive number of connected devices each exchanging a small amount of data is an important characteristic of the Internet of Things. In order to support such a large number of devices, non-orthogonal multiple access strategies such as sparse code multiple access have been proposed. A key question is therefore how to characterize the interference statistics of this network. In this paper, we show that the interference for single user detection with devices governed by a Poisson point process is non-Gaussian, and in particular α-stable with nontrivial dependence structure between the interference on each frequency band. This raises a number of new questions for system design. For example, how should each user’s signal be decoded, and what are the fundamental information theoretic limits? These questions are discussed and tractable interference models for the design of detection schemes are proposed.
Mapping and modeling of eelgrass ( Zostera marina L . ) distribution in the western 1 Baltic Sea

14 In the northern hemisphere, Zostera marina is the most important and widespread seagrass 15 species. Despite its ecological importance, baseline data on eelgrass distribution and 16 abundance are mostly absent, particularly in subtidal areas with relatively turbid waters. 17 Here we report a combined approach on vegetation mapping in the Baltic Sea coupled to a 18 species distribution model (SDM). Eelgrass cover was mapped continuously in 2010/11 with 19 an underwater tow-camera along ~400 km of seafloor. Eelgrass populated 80 % of the study 20 region and occurred at water depths between 0.6 and 7.6 m at sheltered to moderately 21 exposed coasts. Mean patch length was 128.6 m, but was higher at sheltered locations, with 22 a maximum of > 2,000 m. The video observations (n = 7,824) were used as empiric input to 23
Task scheduling in multiprocessor systems using inertial velocity differential evolution

Task scheduling in multiprocessor systems is a challenge NP-complete problem. All practical real-time scheduling algorithms in multiprocessor systems present a trade-off between their computational complexity and performance. In this paper, An improved Differential Evolution algorithm combined Particle Swarm Optimization idea is proposed to solve the Task Scheduling Problem (TSP) in multiprocessor system. The proposed algorithm called Inertial Velocity Differential Evolution (IVDE) consists of an additional inertial velocity factor based on adaptive differential evolution algorithm. IVDE optimizes task scheduling to the minimum of the overall schedule length. The simulation results show that IVDE algorithm not only reduces the computational complexity, but also is easy to get the global optimum compared with GA and Ant Colony Optimizer to solve the task scheduling problem in multiprocessor systems.
The modal particles ja and doch and their interaction with discourse structure: Corpus and experimental evidence

 Introduction German modal particles have been in the centre of linguistic research for several years, the main focus lying on their semantic and pragmatic properties (e.g. Thurmair 1989; Lindner 1991; Jacobs 1991; Waltereit 2001; Karagjosova 2004; Zimmermann 2004, 2012; Gutzmann 2009; Egg 2013; Repp 2013; Rojas-Esponda 2014). Modal particles are usually thought to operate at the semantics-pragmatics interface. The meaning contributions that they have been claimed to make, roughly fall into three types. The first is a modification of the sentence type or the illocution(ary operator) of the utterance they occur in (e.g. Lindner 1991; Jacobs 1991; Waltereit 2001; Karagjosova 2004). For instance, in an assertion a particle may indicate that the speaker is uncertain about committing to the proposition that is asserted, i.e. the particle signals that the speaker modifies or cancels a felicity condition of the speech act assertion. The second is that modal particles relate the proposition they scope over to another proposition in the common ground CG (e.g. Karagjosova 2004; Egg 2013; Repp 2013). The other proposition can be a proposition that was at issue in the previous utterance, a felicity condition of the previous utterance, or it can be a proposition that was entailed or implicated by earlier discourse. The third type of meaning contribution is more generally interaction-directed: Modal particles serve as meta-pragmatic instructions (König & Recquart 1991) or as interaction-regulating instructions (Karagjosova 2004) to the hearer (also cf. Franck 1980). The purpose of such instructions is to integrate an utterance into the current discourse context (also cf. Thurmair 1989). What these meaning types have in common is that they essentially concern common ground management (cf. Repp 2013). Modal particles indicate how a proposition relates to the common ground, and how the common ground is to be developed – by pointing to common or individual knowledge, to epistemic states and to expectations of the interlocutors. Common ground management creates and/or enhances discourse coherence and thus serves smooth communication. For discourses to be coherent they must have a structure. Discourse structure is usually assumed to be hierarchical, and it is assumed that discourse units must be related to other discourse units by discourse relations in a meaningful way (Mann & Thompson 1988; Asher & Lascarides 2003; Hobbs 1985; Sanders, Spooren & Noordman 1992). If, and if so how, modal particles interact with, and contribute to, discourse structure is largely unknown.2 The goal of the present paper is to explore the interaction of modal particles and discourse structure by investigating the interplay of modal particles and discourse relations, and thus to contribute to a better understanding of the role that the particles fulfil in the creation of discourse coherence.
Comparative Study on Fuzzy Logic Based Mixed Noise Filter for Colour Images

The objective of this project is to denoise the color images. This project denoises the images which are only affected by the Gaussian, Impulse and mixed Gaussian-impulse noise. In this project a new filter is used to remove the noise. This filter uses the fuzzy peer group concept to remove the noise. The fuzzy peer group extends the peer group concept in the fuzzy setting. A fuzzy peer group will be defined as a fuzzy set that takes a peer group as support set. The fuzzy peer group of each image pixel will be determined by means of a novel fuzzy logic-based procedure. The fuzzy peer group concept is used to design a twostep color image filter. Cascading a fuzzy rule-based filter which is designed to remove the impulsive noise. Fuzzy average filtering is designed to remove the Gaussian noise. The performance of this filter is compared to the fuzzy logic based adaptive filter noise filter. Peak-Signalto-Noise-Ratio, Mean Square Error and Root Mean Square Error metric are used to measure the performance of the denoising filter
Perturbation method for investigation of the galact ic osmic ray variations

Perturbation methods are applied in a mathematical modelling of propagation of the galactic cosmic rays (GCR) in the heliosphere. Perturbation theory is based on the possibility of approximate description (by power series expansions according to a very small parameter) of a differential equation’s solution using specially se lected ‘easier’ solution which can be precisely studied. We use a nonlinear perturbation approach in connection with different terms of the GCR modulation phenomenon, i.e. convection, diffusion and energy changes of the GCR particles. The effects of these studies are compared with our previous results obtained based on the well known Parker’s transport equation [4]. In our first approach we treat perturbation in its physical and historical sense, more as disturbances [2] of some phenomenon, than a finding an asymptotical solution of a mathematical problem [1]. We take into account a heliolongitudinally disturbed parallel diffusion coefficient in a classical Parker’s transport equation in 3-D space [4] in a form: ( ) ( ) α φ φ φ ρ φ ρ R K R K K K K K II 3 sin 05 . 0 2 sin 07 . 0 sin 09 . 0 1 50 1 ) ( ) ( ) (
A Micro Power Generation System with Gas Turbine Engine and Piezo Converter-- Modeling , Fabrication and Characterization--

This paper reports the concept design of a micro power generation system based on gas turbine engine and piezoelectric converter. The system design is implemented using an iterated computation process between geometry formation and flow behavior. A silicon-based micro combustor, in which a hairpin-shaped design of fuel/air recirculation channel is adopted for prolonging the gas flow path, is fabricated and characterized. Both the computational simulation and experimental results showed that this prolonged gas path is effective in improving the performance of micro combustor. A modeling and design of proposed piezoelectric converter are also presented.
Detection and classification of road signs for automatic inventory systems using computer vision

This article describes an intelligent system that enables the automatic recognition of road signs from image sequences in road environments. The main difficulties the system has to deal with are related to changes in lighting conditions, obstacles blocking the view, the presence of objects with geometric and chromatic similarities and the absence of previous knowledge about their position and orientation. The application of different techniques allows the system to overcome this variety of problems. Therefore, the road sign recognition system is based on a first pre-processing of images, making use of information about road geometry to isolate those areas of the image where road signs may appear. The detection step uses colour and shape analysis to determine the regions of the image where potential road signs may be located. A third step focuses on recognition and classification using pattern matching and edge feature analysis. The proposed algorithm has been tested in different weather and lighting conditions and roads one and two-lane roads and motorways, overall, a total of 1200 kilometres with a very high success rate of detection and classification as the experimental results show.
The Valuation of Unlisted Equity

Background: A stakeholder of a company uses information related to the value of the company in order to make wiser business decisions. Defining a value for a business is of interest in several situations and for several stakeholders. A listed company, i.e. a company in which has its shares admitted to trading on a regulated market, is often valued based on market prices. For unlisted equity however the valuation is in general a more difficult task, as market prices are not readily available. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) puts forward the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, 6 ed. (BPM6) where seven equity valuation models are suggested. It is furthermore suggested that these models can be transferred and utilized on unlisted equity. This thesis aims to test the BPM6 methods on unlisted equity in Sweden between 2006 and 2012. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the reliability of the suggested BPM6 valuation models, intended for listed companies, on unlisted companies in Sweden. A conclusion regarding which model reflects the value of equity the best aims to be drawn. That model will subsequently be used in order to calculate a hypothetical market value. That value will be compared to an actual one in the sense that the unlisted equity chosen for this study have all undergone an initial public offering (IPO), making a comparison possible. Method: This is solely a quantitative study. Firstly, a database consisting of peer groups, based on industry classifications, was created. The variables gathered in the various peer groups were all based on listed equity. The data underwent statistical tests in order to find the best regression model to predict market value for each industry and year. Five different regression models were tested, as alternatives to the Price-to-Equity model and the Price-toBook Value model. Secondly, the predicted value was compared to the actual value for the unlisted equity in order to test the reliability of the valuation models. Conclusion: The result of this study shows that the model producing the most accurate prediction on equity value of unlisted companies is the multi-factor model. The model was based on a combination of earning and book value measures. Furthermore, this study shows that the predicted market values do not differ extensively from the actual market values, implying reliability. The results however produced some dispersion with both overestimations and underestimations. Regardless of such results, the authors are able to draw a clear conclusion regarding the reliability. The authors conclude that the suggested models in the BPM6, put forward by IMF, serve as good indicators for valuing unlisted equity.
An organ-on-a-chip approach for investigating root-environment interactions in heterogeneous conditions

Plants adapt their root morphology in response to changing environmental conditions, yet it remains largely unknown to what extent developmental adaptations are based on systemic or cell-autonomous responses. We present the dual-flow-RootChip (dfRootChip), a microfluidic organ-on-a-chip platform for asymmetric perfusion of Arabidopsis roots to investigate root-environment interactions under simulated environmental heterogeneity. Applications range from root guidance, monitoring of physiology and development under asymmetric conditions, tracing molecular uptake and selective drug treatments to local inoculation with microbes. We measured calcium responses in roots treated with biotic and abiotic elicitors and observed elicitor-specific signal propagation across the root from treated to untreated cells. We provide evidence for non-autonomous positive regulation of hair growth across the root upon exposure to unfavourable conditions on the opposite side. Our approach sheds light on lateral coordination of morphological adaptation and facilitates studies on root physiology, signalling and development in heterogeneous environments at the organ level.
EFFECTS OF PROCESSED RUMEN EPITHELIAL SCRAPINGS MEAL ( RESM ) BASED DIET ON GASTRO MICROBIAL LOAD OF BROILER

Department of Livestock Production Technology (Agric. Biochemistry Unit), Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Department of Microbiology, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Veterinary Microbiology Research Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Corresponding Author: eohimain@yahoo.com Meat quality has assumed a greater significance and public attention. Effect(s) of processed rumen epithelial scrapings meal (RESM) on microbial content of the gut of birds was studied using five isonitrogenous diets formulated with a control diet that had 100% fishmeal protein source. 100 (4 weeks old) broiler chicks were used. At the chick phase (0-4 weeks) they were fed broiler starter mash (23% CP) and (2.8 kcal ME/g). A 7-day adjustment period was followed. Four birds were randomly selected from each treatment on day 14, bled and later slaughtered to obtain feed remnant in the gut and faecal remnant in the ceacum for analyzing the microbial load of the feed in gut and ceacum. The yeast and mold contents of RESM at the crop of the broiler were significantly higher than that of FM but lower than that of cassava flour based meal. There was no significant difference at the rectum level. There was no significant difference between the Salmonella content of RESM and that of FM at the crop or rectum. The Coliform bacteria load at the crop of FM fed broilers was significantly higher than that of RESM but similar at the rectum level. RESM microbial load both at the crop and rectum were within accepted level. Mortality nor disease symptoms were neither observed during the trial or after.
Predictors of Pause Duration in Read-Aloud Discourse

The research reported in this paper is an attempt to elucidate the predictors of pause duration in read-aloud discourse. Through simple linear regression analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression, we examined how different factors (namely, syntactic structure, discourse hierarchy, topic structure, preboundary length, and postboundary length) influenced pause duration both separately and jointly. Results from simple regression analysis showed that discourse hierarchy, syntactic structure. topic structure, and postboundary length had significant impacts on boundary pause duration. However, when these factors were tested in a stepwise regression analysis, only discourse hierarchy, syntactic structure, and postboundary length were found to have significant impacts on boundary pause duration. The regression model that best predicted boundary pause duration in discourse context was the one that first included syntactic structure, and then included discourse hierarchy and postboundary length. This model could account for about 80% of the variance of pause duration. Tests of mediation models showed that the effects of topic structure and discourse hierarchy were significantly mediated by syntactic structure, which was most closely correlated with pause duration. These results support an integrated model combining the influence of several factors and can be applied to text-to-speech systems.
Optimum nested Miller compensation for low-voltage low-power CMOS amplifier design

An optimum structure of nested Miller compensation (NMC) is developed. The developed structure using a feedforward transconductance stage and null resistor on NMC, called NMCFNR, solves the bandwidth reduction and poor transient response problems of low-voltage low-power NMC amplifiers. For comparison, amplifiers compensated by NMC and NMCFNR have been fabricated. Experimental results show that NMCFNR improves the gain-bandwidth product, slew rate and settling time by more than three times with 8/spl deg/ increase on the phase margin and no increase of the power consumption. Moreover, it improves the negative power supply rejection ratio by at least 54 dB. The die area of the NMCFNR amplifier is about half of that of the NMC amplifier.
Slack Based Revenue Inefficiency Decomposition : An Application to the French Wine sector

Our paper reports on the use of data envelopment analysis (DEA) to study the revenue inefficiency of the nine major wine regions in France for the period 2004-2013. We aim to track the revenue inefficiency evolution of these regions before and after the implementation of the common market organization (CMO) policies in Europe in wine sector. To accomplish our task, we use an output oriented weighted additive model of the data envelopment analysis (DEA) combining the two inputs (surface area and number of wine producers) and two output variables related to (domestic and foreign sales). The revenue decomposition relates revenue, technical, and allocative inefficiencies based on technical inefficiency measures that account for slacks. We argue that four French wine regions remain efficient after the implementation of new regulations and put forward the explanations on the possible improvements of the positions of other regions which are less efficient.
Sleep, Salary, and Successful Occupational Negotiation: Evidence from a Labor Market Survey

We examine the relationship between sleep and wages and then ask a follow-up question: might occupational negotiation be one intermediate factor? That is, are workers of a certain sleep pattern more likely to successfully (re)negotiate the terms of their employment? Popular press, non-economic research articles, selfhelp guides, and websites often purport relationships between sleep patterns and one's ability to successfully negotiate. Results point to sleeping hours having a statistically significant, positive, and strong relationship with both salary and successful negotiation, though the latter relationship is only apparent for workers in about their 4th or 5th year on the job.
ZOOARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF ANCIENT DATÇA ( BURGAZ , SOUTH-WEST TURKEY )

Recent excavations at the multi-period site of Datça/Burgaz in southwestern Turkey have revealed a sequence of occupation spanning from Geometric, Archaic and Classical periods. The zooarchaeological remains obtained from the Datça/Burgaz site provide a basic description of the faunal assemblages in the context of both local and regional dietary strategies of the various societies throughout the above-mentioned periods. All calculations are based upon a number of identified specimen frequencies. According to the results of this study, domestic cattle were the most plentiful species in the assemblage. Ovicaprine, including sheep and goats, and pigs were second and third most abundant respectively. In addition, wild species and equids are also represented in the fauna. Though frequencies of the samples change over the periods, cattle are found dominant in all periods. When consider the number of sample, the most statistically reliable among the groups at hand due to sample size (n=933) is the Classical Period.
Students' Attitudes Towards the Use of Mobile Technologies in e-Evaluation

Mobile learning (M-learning) is a new wave in the era of educational technology that provides informal, personal, voluntary and situated learning opportunities for both learners and educators. Mobile-based assessment is one of the emerging technologies that attract many scholars to investigate its effectiveness due to the wide spectrum of its features like portability, interactivity, flexibility, and ubiquity. Based on the surveyed literature, we noticed that there is a lack of studying the students' attitudes towards the utilization of mobile technologies in the context of e-Evaluation. The present study attempts to investigate the students' attitudes towards the utilization of mobile technologies in the e-Evaluation system of instructors. The data was collected through a questionnaire survey from Al Buraimi University College (BUC) in Oman. The total number of participants is 354 students. Findings indicated that 99% of the students own a mobile phone or tablet. Moreover, results indicated a statistically significant difference among the students’ attitudes in terms of their gender where the differences were in favor of male students. In contrast, results revealed no statistically significant differences among the students’ attitudes in terms of their age, degree, and department. Furthermore, other implications and future work are also reported in the study.