Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Swarm fuzzy-reinforcement coordination using bloom's taxonomy of the cognitive domain

From Bloom's taxonomy, cognitive aspect of learning is defined in six phases of knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Imitating this learning structure, we propose here a Swarm Fuzzy-Reinforcement Coordination (SFRC) strategy for targeted delivery of cancer drug. The swarm of learning nanomachines delivers the drug to the cancer site in a coordinated manner based on the Bloom's cognitive phases. Using these six phases, we define different cognitive single and social states for each of the nanomachines. These states are defined by applying a fuzzy inference system (FIS). At each cognitive level, each nanomachine is allowed to socially join the swarm and start coordinating, communicating, and doing collective therapy. Using the distance toward the cancer site, the quality of each swarm is classified. Those swarms that are closest to the cancer site begin to release oxygen into the environment in order to communicate the vicinity of cancer site to other nanomachines in other swarms. Nanomachines in the wrong swarm disjoin from the group and join the swarm with the better location toward the cancer site. Here we use the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) concentration, which is high around the cancer site, as a controlling signal. Aiming to decrease VEGF, swarms of nanomachines coordinate with each other using a reinforcement learning concept. Result comparison with mathematical therapy model shows the merits of the SFRC method.
Does the Introduction of the Euro Affect the Debt-Equity Choice?

We study firms from 14 Western European countries to detect the influence of a vanishing risk premium due to exchange rate risk on equity and debt issues. According to our hypothesis, Eurozone firms in industries with relatively higher external finance dependence (EFD) issue more equity and debt after 1999 than those outside the Euro area. We find that Eurozone firms in high EFD industries are more likely to issue equity, and are more likely to be equity issuers than debt issuers after 1999. Further, there is evidence that firms in our sample follow a dynamic leverage target.
Use of Artificial Neural Networks to Predict Recurrent Lumbar Disk Herniation

Background: The aim of this study was to develop an artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict recurrent lumbar disk herniation (LDH). Methods: An ANN model and a logistic regression model were used to predict recurrent LDH. The age, sex, duration of symptoms, smoking status, recurrent LDH, level of herniation, type of herniation, sports activity; occupational lifting, occupational driving, duration of symptoms, visual analog scale (VAS), the Zung Depression Scale (ZDS), and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) Score, were determined as the input variables for the established ANN model. The Macnab classification, VAS, and JOA were used for outcome assessment. ANNs on data from LDH patients, who underwent surgery, were trained to predict LDH using several input variables. The patients were divided into a recurrent LDH group (R group) and a primary LDH group (P group). Sensitivity analysis was applied to identify the relevant variables. The receiver-operating characteristic curve, accuracy rate of predicting, and Hosmer-Lemeshow statistics were considered for evaluating the 2 models. Results: A total of 402 patients were categorized into training, testing, and validation data sets consisting of 201, 101, and 100 cases, respectively. The recurrence rate was 8.7%, and the median time to recurrence was 26.2 months (SD=4 mo). The VAS of leg/back pain and JOA were improved at 1-year follow-up (P<0.05) and no significant difference was observed between the 2 groups. Surgical successful outcome was categorized as: excellent, 31.1%; good, 44.3%; fair, 18.9%; and poor, 5.7% at 1-year follow-up. Compared with the logistic regression model, the ANN model was associated with superior results: accuracy rate, 94.1%; Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic, 40.2%; and area under the curve, 0.83% of patients. Conclusion: The findings show that an ANNs can be used to predict the diagnostic statues of recurrent and nonrecurrent group of LDH patients before the first or index microdiscectomy.
Allele frequencies of eight short tandem repeat loci in three Visayas regional populations of the Philippines.

The Philippine Archipelago, composed of 7,100 islands and more than 70 ethno-linguistic groups, is divided into 15 regions on the basis of geographical, cultural, and political variations. Each region is classified under three major island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The National Capital Region (NCR) is situated south of Luzon, and its population genetic database has been reported (1). However, because the NCR is geographically separated by sea from the rest of the island groups, and because each island group has its own distinct cultural identity, there is a need to study and compare the genetic composition of other regional populations to that of NCR. The present study reports population data at eight short tandem repeat (STR) loci, namely HUMvWA, HUMCSF1PO, HUMTH01, HUMTPOX, HUMF13A01, HUMFES/ FPS, HUMFOLP23, and D8S306 for the Visayas. Visayas refers to the central group of islands in the Philippine Archipelago, where the major language spoken is the Visaya or Bisaya, instead of the more common Filipino (Tagalog) language. It is composed of three political regions, namely, Region VI, VII, and VIII. Blood samples were collected in Region VI (Aklan, Iloilo, n = 114), Region VII (Cebu, n = 140), and Region VIII (Leyte, n = 92) and blotted on FITZCO FTA™ cards. Genomic DNA was purified according to manufacturer's instructions (Flinder's Technology, Massachusetts). PCR amplification was performed as described previously (1). Amplified products were detected with the ALFExpress sequencer and using ALFwin and Allelelinks software (Pharmacia Biotech) using automated flourescence technology. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) and linkage equilibrium (LE) were checked by the Exact Test using the DNA View software (2). Homogeneity tests were performed using Popgene ver 1.32 (3).
Detour: a Case for Informed Internet Routing and Transport

Despite its obvious success, robustness, and scalability, the Internet suffers from a number of end-to-end performance and availability problems. In this paper, we attempt to quantify the Internet' s inefficiencies and then we argue that Internet behavior can be improved by spreading intelligent routers at key access and interchange points to actively manage traffic. Our Detour prototype aims to demonstrate practical benefits to end users, without penalizing non-Detour users, by aggregating traffic information across connections and using more efficient routes to improve Internet performance.
Understanding switching variability and random telegraph noise in resistive RAM

A deeper understanding of the noise and variability sources in resistive switching memory (RRAM) is needed for device improvement and scaling down. To meet this challenge, this work addresses switching statistics and read noise in RRAM. First, an analytical model for resistance variability in set and reset states is presented. Then, random telegraph noise (RTN) is discussed in terms of trap-induced depletion in the conductive filament (CF) The model accounts for size-dependent RTN, while bias-dependent RTN is explained by Poole-Frenkel (PF) transport and Joule heating in atomic-size CFs.
Linear feedback control of bluff body wakes

In this project, linear feedback control is used to modify the dynamics of fluid flows. We focus on two system identification and controller design strategies that target separated wakes behind bluff bodies. In particular, we aim to reduce the form drag and suppress the large fluctuations that typically develop in such wakes and are detrimental to efficiency and safety in a large number of industrial applications, such as road vehicles driving on motorways.
Smoothing the response of a gain scheduled autopilot for flexible flight vehicle by online tuning based on neural networks

The challenging task of designing an auto pilot for non linear time varying flexible flight vehicle system under conflicting design requirements requires a gain scheduled controller throughout the flight. But still the final solution is bound to end up in some compromises with proper gain scheduling. The switching from one gain to another gain value creates disturbances in the flight and therefore this transition of gains must be smoothened. This is achieved by introducing an adaptive pid controller based on neural network as a supplementary to the main controller.
Requirements for Accurate Manometric Recording of Pharyngeal and Esophageal Peristaltic Pressure Waves

The frequency characteristics and wave form of peristaltic pressure complexes occurring in the pharynx and esophagus of normal subjects were studied. For each of five subjects, five peristaltic waves were selected for analysis from the proximal and distal pharynx as well as the proximal, middle, and distal esophagus. Thus, 25 peristaltic waves were analyzed from each of the five regions studied, giving a total of 125 in all. After digitization of the peristaltic waves, pressure values were entered into a computer algorithm that performed a Fourier transformation to determine frequency content and wave slope. The computer analysis revealed that a frequency response flat to 5 Hz was adequate to record 98% of esophageal peristaltic waves with 98% accuracy. In contrast, recording accuracy up to 48 Hz was needed for high-fidelity recording in the pharynx. Rates of pressure change were substantially greater for pharyngeal peristaltic pressure complexes compared with esophageal peristaltic complexes. The results suggest that appropriately designed infused-catheter systems can readily meet the requirements for accurate recording of peristaltic pressure waves in the esophagus but not in the pharynx. Consequently, different instrumentation, such as an intralum-inal strain gauge probe, is needed for accurate manometric recording of pharyngeal peristalsis.
Demographic transition, pension schemes' investment, and the financial market

There have been lots of theoretical and empirical debates about the impact of demographic transition on the financial market. The main economic theory that is often cited to explain the causality is the lifecycle hypothesis. Since this hypothesis suggests that a lifetime saving pattern of individuals will have an inverted U-shape profile, there is a widely concern for the ‘market meltdown scenario’ whereby the stock market might collapse following the retirement of baby-boomers who will begin to dissipate their accumulated wealth. However, the actual dissaving rates of retired households appear to be relatively low. Therefore, no consensus regarding the actual causality of the demographic impact on asset prices has been reached. This thesis attempts to solve this puzzle by arguing that the strong relationship between asset prices and demographic variables observed since the 1960s may primarily result from a shift in the institutional structure of the financial market. The emergence of financial institutions, particularly pension schemes, has changed the way that the financial market operates. Instead of directly holding assets themselves, households have been using financial services provided by these institutions to manage their investments. By using a panel data from the Family Expenditure Survey, lifetime households’ participation rates in occupational pension schemes and personal pension plans are shown to significantly exhibit a strong hump-shape age pattern with a peak at 35-45. Interestingly, this age group has further been proved to have a long-term significant impact on UK equity prices. After analysing DB pension schemes employed by FTSE100 firms, the long-term asset allocation of these investors appears to significantly be influenced by the age structures of their policyholders. Therefore, the insight gleaned from this thesis strongly suggests that the investment behaviour of pension schemes may represent the underlying mechanism explaining the strong correlation between asset prices and demographic patterns.
Knowledge Outflows from Foreign Subsidiaries: The Tension between Knowledge Creation and Knowledge Protection

This paper analyzes the MNC subsidiaries' trade-off between the need for knowledge creation and the need for knowledge protection, and relates it to the extent of knowledge outflows generated within the host location. Combining research in International Business with Social Theory, we find that subsidiaries that extensively draw on external knowledge sources are also more likely to generate knowledge outflows to local firms. We argue that this may be explained by the subsidiariesO willingness to build the trust that facilitates the establishment of reciprocal knowledge linkages. However, when the value of the subsidiary's knowledge stock is very high, the need for knowledge protection restrains reciprocity mechanisms in knowledge exchanges, thus reducing the extent of knowledge outflows to the host location. This study contributes to the literature on the firm-level antecedents of FDI-mediated local knowledge outflows, as well as to the broad IB literature on the relationship between subsidiaries and their host regions. The implications for managers and policy-makers are also discussed.
Time-motion analysis as a novel approach for evaluating the impact of environmental heat exposure on labor loss in agriculture workers

ABSTRACT Introduction: In this study we (i) introduced time-motion analysis for assessing the impact of workplace heat on the work shift time spent doing labor (WTL) of grape-picking workers, (ii) examined whether seasonal environmental differences can influence their WTL, and (iii) investigated whether their WTL can be assessed by monitoring productivity or the vineyard manager's estimate of WTL. Methods: Seven grape-picking workers were assessed during the summer and/or autumn via video throughout four work shifts. Results: Air temperature (26.8 ± 4.8°C), wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT; 25.2 ± 4.1°C), universal thermal climate index (UTCI; 35.2 ± 6.7°C), and solar radiation (719.1 ± 187.5 W/m2) were associated with changes in mean skin temperature (1.7 ± 1.8°C) (p < 0.05). Time-motion analysis showed that 12.4% (summer 15.3% vs. autumn 10.0%; p < 0.001) of total work shift time was spent on irregular breaks (WTB). There was a 0.8%, 0.8%, 0.6%, and 2.1% increase in hourly WTB for every degree Celsius increase in temperature, WBGT, UTCI, and mean skin temperature, respectively (p < 0.01). Seasonal changes in UTCI explained 64.0% of the seasonal changes in WTL (p = 0.017). Productivity explained 36.6% of the variance in WTL (p < 0.001), while the vineyard manager's WTL estimate was too optimistic (p < 0.001) and explained only 2.8% of the variance in the true WTL (p = 0.456). Conclusion: Time-motion analysis accurately assesses WTL, evaluating every second spent by each worker during every work shift. The studied grape-picking workers experienced increased workplace heat, leading to significant labor loss. Monitoring productivity or the vineyard manager's estimate of each worker's WTL did not completely reflect the true WTL in these grape-picking workers.
Economic Crisis and SMEs Sustainability Policies: Application of Emotional Well-Being Function for Analy

Current global economic crisis has had sweeping effect on industries, societies and nations. It is evident that economic downturn will mostly affect more socially vulnerable subjects and inequality in society will probably increase. Sustainable development deals with the issues of inequality: it is directed at enhancing economic, social and ecologic sustainability on a macro level. The role of SMEs in this context is becoming more and more important for achieving sustainability goals. However, as economic crisis hits, there is uncertainty of how SMEs policies regarding sustainable development values will change. Will SMEs remain committed to sustainability? This paper contributes to examining the economic crisis impact on SMEs policies regarding sustainability values by proposing an analytical model for such analysis. Authors build an integrated framework for behavioural pattern of sustainable-development-values-driven SMEs activities and adopt a mathematical model to identify their dependencies. The paper concludes that a mathematical model based on emotional-well-being and CSR monetary value functions may be employed for the analysis of economic crisis impact on SMEs policies as far as sustainable development values are concerned.
Mobility management protocol in wireless sensor networks based on FireFly algorithm

Mobile Wireless Sensor Network (MWSN) has mobile sensor nodes which sense the data and communicate with the base station via other nodes. Both sensor nodes and base stations can be mobile and operate with static sensor nodes in the network based on the application requirements. However, mobility poses new challenges for the researchers particularly in energy consumption and packets loss in addition to routing protocols are responsible for discovering and maintaining the routes in the network. In this paper, a new routing protocol is proposed for mobile wireless sensors, which was invented after a thorough study of various protocols in the literature that try to resolve the typical routing issues for both technologies of WSNs and MWSNs. Our proposed protocol takes the advantages of the MH-LEACH-1R protocol, as well as properties of the firefly optimization. To show the performance of the proposed protocol, we have performed some simulations, comparisons, and analysis using MATLAB environment. These routing protocols (LEACH-M, MH-LEACH-1R, and our protocol) are compared based on different factors such as data delivery to the base station, packets loss, and residual energy. Experimental results show that our proposed protocol has the best performance in almost all metrics especially lifetime and lost packets.
Development and Validation of the Response to Stressful Situations Scale in the General Population

 Abstract — The aim of the current study was to develop and validate a Response to Stressful Situations Scale (RSSS) for the Portuguese population. This scale assesses the degree of stress experienced in scenarios that can constitute positive, negative and more neutral stressors, and also describes the physiological, emotional and behavioral reactions to those events according to their intensity. These scenarios include typical stressor scenarios relevant to patients with schizophrenia, which are currently absent from most scales, assessing specific risks that these stressors may bring on subjects, which may prove useful in non-clinical and clinical populations (i.e. Patients with mood or anxiety disorders, schizophrenia). Results from Principal Components Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of two adult samples from general population allowed to confirm a three-factor model with good fit indices: χ 2 (144) = 370.211, p = 0.000; GFI = 0.928; CFI = 0.927; TLI = 0.914, RMSEA = 0.055, P(rmsea ≤ 0.005) = . 096; PCFI = . 781. Further data analysis of the scale revealed that RSSS is an adequate assessment tool of stress response in adults to be used in further research and clinical settings, with good psychometric characteristics, adequate divergent and convergent validity, good temporal stability and high internal consistency.
Investment, awareness, supermarkets, and profits: heterogeneous chili farmers in Indonesia

Changes in the distribution channels for food production in developing countries raises the demand for high quality products sold through supermarkets at higher prices. We model the willingness of farmers to invest in high quality production, taking the role of traders into consideration. We test our model using data for Indonesian chili producers and find that (i) there is self-selection into high cost investment for production quality which leads to higher profits, (ii) there is a positive and significant income effect for participating in the modern (supermarket) retail channel, and (iii) the awareness of farmers regarding their product participation in the retail channel significantly affects their profits. We thus find both a â€˜real access gapâ€™ and a â€˜market efficiency gapâ€™.
Multispinning for Image Denoising

Abstract. The problem of reconstructing digital images from degraded measurements is regarded as a problem of importance in various fields of engineering and imaging science. The main goal of denoising is to restore a noisy image to produce a visually high quality image. In this paper, we propose a novel transform domain technique that uses multispinning for image denoising. The proposed method uses multiple cyclic shifted versions of an image, where each of them would capture more detail information during decomposition. Discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and contourlet transform (CT) in association with multispinning is used. The results are compared with traditional transform (soft thresholding) and spatial domain techniques. The visual and quantitative evaluation suggests that the proposed method yields better results.
Multi-LaboratoryComparison of Three Heparin-Mn 2 Precipitation Procedures for EstimatingCholesterol in High-DensityLipoprotein

Plasma high-density lipoprotein is commonly estimated by measuring the cholesterol remaining in plasma supernatant solutions after other lipoproteins, which contain apolipoprotein B, are precipitated with heparin and Mn2. The method (method I) now in use by the Lipid Research Clinics, in which Mn2 is at 46 mmol/liter final concentration, is reasonably accurate, but precipitation and sedimentation of lipoproteins other than high-density Iipoproteins is often incomplete. We evaluated two modifications of method I. In method II, the Mn2+ concentration was doubled; the second modification (method lii) included the increased Mn2+ concentration in a combined heparin Mn2+ reagent, decreased sample volume (2 ml), and a shorter incubation time (10 mm at room temperature). The percentages of samples with turbid supernates (i.e., incomplete sedimentation) by methods I, II, and Ill were 9, 3, and 2%, respectively. Among non-turbid supernates, the percentages of samples containing measurable apolipoprotein B (incomplete precipitation) were 79, 19, and 16%, respectively. We conclude that method Ill isthe most convenient and accurate of the three procedures.