Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of price dynamics in Ethiopia

Since recent years inflation has become the most important macroeconomic problem in Ethiopia. This study examines the sources of this inflationary pressure using annual data spanning over 1971 - 2014. The study estimates a comprehensive price equation and performs some simulation analysis to uncover the sources of inflationary pressure. The result of the exercise indicates that monetary and fiscal fundamentals are important determinants of price dynamics in the short run. In the long run, output remains to be the most important variable. The result also indicates that the relationship between inflation and foreign prices is rather weak. Keywords: Inflation, Macroeconomic Policies, Money Supply, Fiscal Deficit and Real GDP
AN INFORMATION THEORETIC ANALYSIS OF 256-CHANNEL EEG RECORDINGS: MUTUAL INFORMATION AND MEASUREMENT SELECTION PROBLEM

How does one part affect another in the brain? How much information can we extract from the brain data? The multichannel EEG recording system is now available to study this issue. We recorded 256-channel EEGs while a subject performed a visual discrimination task, and obtained mutual information between a visual stimulus condition and signals from single and multiple EEGs. Here we report preliminary results which show a power of the 256 channel recording system. In particular, we show examples that the best two informative independent measurements are not the two best.
A gender classification approach based on 3D depth-radial curves and fuzzy similarity based classification

We propose in this paper, a gender recognition solution under the presence of occlusion and using the very restrict samples in the learning base. The developed approach is based on the extraction of pertinent 3D depth-radial curves that cover the nose region and combined dimensionality reduction using sparse random projection method; furthermore we propose an extension of similarity based classification approach to handle recognition task. Experimental results approve the effectiveness of our approach and show that the proposed method is also effective in the presence of variations such as facial expressions and rotation.
Meta-learning enhancements by data partitioning

In data mining, there is no learning algorithm which attains the highest accuracy on any dataset. Multi-level arbiter and combiner-arbiter are presented in this paper, as techniques to integrate classifiers induced from partitioned data, having as optimization criterion the accuracy of a given dataset. Experimental evaluations have shown that an arbiter tree can be found having similar or higher predictive performance when compared to the accuracy of the individual learner, trained on the entire training set. Moreover, for multi-class datasets with unbalanced class distribution, the combiner-arbiter strategy yielded a good improvement in the prediction performance level.
A visual SLAM using graph method

Monocular Simultaneous Localization and Mapping is a key technique in the research field of mobile robots. Based on the natural feature of the environment, this paper proposes a visual SLAM algorithm based on graph. The algorithm extracts the visual features of the collected images through the SURF method. Using the image coordinates of the same feature points in different time, the position relationship of the robot in different time can be attained. As a result, a camera relative pose estimation map can be built using these position constraints. Subsequently, the map can be optimized using the stochastic gradient descent method in order to form a consistently global map. The experimental results demonstrates the validity and practicability of the presented method.
Network analysis on safety culture and worker‘sbehaviour : A forest of all minimum spanningtrees

In this paper safety culture and worker’s are considered, all together, as a complex system and statistically represented in the form of correlation network among their characteristics. We show that the current practice, based on a minimal spanning tree (MST), to filter the information contained in the network is not robust.A robust filter based on the forest of all possible MSTs is then proposed and used to analyze the network. For practical purpose, an algorithm will be provided to find the forest.The advantages of the proposed filter compared to the MST-based filter will be illustrated first before we use it in the case of Malaysia manufacturing industry. Some important results that will be useful for the management will be highlighted.
A new compensation technique for two-stage CMOS operational transconductance amplifiers

This paper presents a new compensation method for fully differential two-stage CMOS operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs). It employs a hybrid cascode compensation scheme, merged Ahuja and improved Ahuja style compensations, for fast settling. A design procedure for minimum settling time of the proposed compensation technique for a two-stage class A/AB OTA is described. To demonstrate the usefulness of it, three design examples are considered.
A Lightweight Model for Estimating Energy Cost of Live Migration of Virtual Machines

Live migration, the process of moving a virtual machine (VM) interruption-free between physical hosts is a core concept in modern data centers. Power management strategies use live migration to consolidate services in a cluster environment and switch off underutilized machines to save power. However, most migration models do not consider the energy cost of migration. In a previous study we showed that live migration entails an energy overhead and the size of this overhead varies with the RAM size of the virtual machine and the available network bandwidth. This paper extends our previous work and proposes a lightweight mathematical model to estimate the energy cost of live migration of an idle virtual machine quantitatively. A series of experiments were conducted on KVM to profile the migration time and the power consumption during live migration. Based on these data we derived an energy cost model that predicts the energy overhead of live migration of virtual machines with an accuracy of higher than 90%.
Entrainment of Perceptually Relevant Brain Oscillations by Non-Invasive Rhythmic Stimulation of the Human Brain

The notion of driving brain oscillations by directly stimulating neuronal elements with rhythmic stimulation protocols has become increasingly popular in research on brain rhythms. Induction of brain oscillations in a controlled and functionally meaningful way would likely prove highly beneficial for the study of brain oscillations, and their therapeutic control. We here review conventional and new non-invasive brain stimulation protocols as to their suitability for controlled intervention into human brain oscillations. We focus on one such type of intervention, the direct entrainment of brain oscillations by a periodic external drive. We review highlights of the literature on entraining brain rhythms linked to perception and attention, and point out controversies. Behaviourally, such entrainment seems to alter specific aspects of perception depending on the frequency of stimulation, informing models on the functional role of oscillatory activity. This indicates that human brain oscillations and function may be promoted in a controlled way by focal entrainment, with great potential for probing into brain oscillations and their causal role.
Targeting Host Factors to Treat West Nile and Dengue Viral Infections

West Nile (WNV) and Dengue (DENV) viruses are major arboviral human pathogens belonging to the genus Flavivirus. At the current time, there are no approved prophylactics (e.g., vaccines) or specific therapeutics available to prevent or treat human infections by these pathogens. Due to their minimal genome, these viruses require many host molecules for their replication and this offers a therapeutic avenue wherein host factors can be exploited as treatment targets. Since several host factors appear to be shared by many flaviviruses the strategy may result in pan-flaviviral inhibitors and may also attenuate the rapid emergence of drug resistant mutant viruses. The scope of this strategy is greatly enhanced by the recent en masse identification of host factors impacting on WNV and DENV infection. Excellent proof-of-principle experimental demonstrations for host-targeted control of infection and infection-induced pathogenesis have been reported for both WNV and DENV. These include exploiting not only those host factors supporting infection, but also targeting host processes contributing to pathogenesis and innate immune responses. While these early studies validated the host-targeting approach, extensive future investigations spanning a range of aspects are needed for a successful deployment in humans.
Data-based Mechanistic Modelling and Validation of Rainfall-flow Processes

DATA-BASED MECHANISTIC MODELLING AND VALIDATION OF RAINFALL-FLOW PROCESSES This appears as Young, P. C. (2001). Data-based mechanistic modelling and validation of rainfall-flow processes. In M. G. Anderson and P.D. Bates (Eds.), Model Validation: Perspectives in Hydrological Science. Chichester: J. Wiley, 117-161. Peter Young1 Centre for Research on Environmental Systems and Statistics, Institute of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ
Origin of Oligodendrocytes within the Human Spinal Cord

To determine the time and site of origin of the oligodendrocyte lineage in the developing human spinal cord, we have examined tissues from 45 to 83 d postconception (dpc) using sets of probes and antibodies recognizing oligodendrocyte-specific glycolipids, transcripts, and proteins. We found that two clusters of oligodendrocyte precursors appear on or before 45 dpc on each side of the cord ventral ependyma above the floor plate. These precursors express glycolipids recognized by the O4 and Rmab antibodies, platelet-derived growth factor α-receptor, myelin basic protein (MBP), and 2′, 3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′ phosphodiesterase as well as MBP and proteolipid transcripts. Expression of the morphogen sonic hedgehog was detected in the floor plate at 45 dpc and decreased at 58 dpc. During this period, oligodendrocyte precursors emerged in the ventral and lateral region of the forming white matter, a process occurring first in cervical and later in lumbar cord. The majority of O4+ cells express the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and their pattern of dispersion suggests that these cells progressively populate the lateral and dorsal cord regions. Oligodendrocytes expressing galactocerebroside appeared at 53 dpc and did not express PCNA. Oligodendrocyte precursors were detected in dorsal cord regions at 74 dpc and at 83 dpc when myelination started in the ventral roots. Thus, oligodendrocyte precursors expressing myelin transcripts and proteins emerge in the ventral region of the embryonic cord several weeks before myelination.
Towards Semantically Sensitive Text Clustering: A Feature Space Modeling Technology Based on Dimension Extension

The objective of text clustering is to divide document collections into clusters based on the similarity between documents. In this paper, an extension-based feature modeling approach towards semantically sensitive text clustering is proposed along with the corresponding feature space construction and similarity computation method. By combining the similarity in traditional feature space and that in extension space, the adverse effects of the complexity and diversity of natural language can be addressed and clustering semantic sensitivity can be improved correspondingly. The generated clusters can be organized using different granularities. The experimental evaluations on well-known clustering algorithms and datasets have verified the effectiveness of our approach.
The severity of urinary incontinence decreases health-related quality of life among community-dwelling elderly.

BACKGROUND Urinary incontinence (UI) is an important geriatric syndrome that has been associated with a wide range of health-related outcomes. However, UI severity has rarely been examined in the context of a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the association between UI severity and health-related quality of life (QoL) when frequent geriatric issues are taken into account. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of 1,124 participants aged 70 y and older. UI was diagnosed when difficulty with urinary continence was reported, and its severity was assessed through a modified version of the Sandvik Index. Health-related QoL was measured using the SF-36, including its physical and mental component summaries. Multivariate linear regression was performed to determine the association between UI severity and health-related QoL. RESULTS Prevalence of UI was 18%, and it was severe in 29.3% of cases. Severely incontinent subjects were older and had worse self-perceived health status, greater disability, and more depressive symptoms in comparison with continent participants or with those affected to a lesser degree. Multivariate regression analysis showed a significant inverse association between the physical component summaries and moderate (B = -4.54) as well as severe UI (B = -6.72). The mental component summaries showed similar results (B = -1.44 and -4.43, respectively). CONCLUSIONS UI severity is associated with lower QoL scores in both its components. This association appears to be more important as severity increases. UI severity must be evaluated thoroughly in the elderly because of its potential adverse effects on physical and mental health.
The introduction and use of a tailored unified process - a case study

The unified process has become a widely known and used framework for software development organizations. The use of the framework, however, is not straight forward, and it has not been the intention from the creators of the framework that the development organization should use it 'out of the box'. Some sort of tailoring or adoption is therefore necessary. This paper describes and investigates a case of tailoring, introducing and using RUP in a large software organization. The findings indicate that sufficient knowledge and motivation is an important factor of adopting a methodology.
RHU Keystroke: A mobile-based benchmark for keystroke dynamics systems

The performance evaluation of biometric systems is being highly considered in order to increase the widespread use of this technology in our daily life. Nowadays, there are few public benchmarks available to researchers towards this goal. In order to contribute in solving this problem, we present in this paper a keystroke dynamics benchmark collected using a touch screen phone. An analysis of the collected features is also covered in this paper.
An Experimental Study for a High-resolution 3-D Imaging Algorithm with Linear Array for UWB Radars

Pulse radars with UWB signals are promising as a high-resolution imaging technique that can be used for a non-destructive measurement of surface details on reflector antennas and airplane signal. We previously proposed a fast 3-D imaging algorithm, SEABED, that utilizes a reversible transform between the time delay and the target boundary. However, data acquisition is time-consuming when obtaining a high-resolution image because it assumes a mono-static radar with 2-D scanning of an antenna. In this paper, we utilize linear array antennas and propose a fast and high-resolution imaging algorithm. We extend the reversible transform for mono-static radars to apply to bi-static radars to reduce the data acquisition time. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified with numerical simulations and experiments.
The Modern Firm: Organizational Design for Performance and Growth

Preface 1. Strategy and Organization 2. Key Concepts for Organizational Design 3. The Nature and Purpose of the Firm 4. Motivation in the Modern Firm 5. Organizing for Performance 6. Organizing for Growth and Innovation 7. Creating the Modern Firm: Management and Leadership Challenges
Beliefs in Miraculous Healings, Religiosity and Meaning in Life

Throughout centuries, many interpretations of miraculous healings have been offered by philosophers, theologians, physicians and psychologists. Different approaches to miracles originate from the differences in understanding of causative factors, concepts of nature and the relationship between God and nature. Despite many skeptical arguments, a vast majority of people (approximately 70%) in modern Western societies share a belief in miracles and millions of sick people pilgrimage to sanctuaries seeking their occurrence. The aim of the research was to describe the social perception of miraculous healings, and the relationship between beliefs in miraculous healings, religiosity and meaning in life. A survey was conducted on a group of 178 respondents aged 18 to 30 (M = 21.5; SD = 2.31), 90% Catholics. The obtained results show that it is possible to describe the perception of miraculous healings in category of the essence of the causative factors (natural/supranatural) and definiteness (defined/undefined). The majority (88%) of the respondents believed in miracles and most frequently associated them with God's action/intervention, less often with the still undiscovered possibilities of the human organism or the nature, and the least with medical biases. Respondents with stronger religiosity more often understood miraculous healings as an act of God than the activity of unspecified supernatural powers. Moreover, higher religiosity and understanding of miraculous healings as an effect of the supernatural specified determinant was connected with higher meaning in life.
Friend and foe: factors influencing the movement of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori along the parasitism–mutualism continuum

Understanding the transition of bacterial species from commensal to pathogen, or vice versa, is a key application of evolutionary theory to preventative medicine. This requires working knowledge of the molecular interaction between hosts and bacteria, ecological interactions among microbes, spatial variation in bacterial prevalence or host life history, and evolution in response to these factors. However, there are very few systems for which such broad datasets are available. One exception is the gram‐negative bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, which infects upwards of 50% of the global human population. This bacterium is associated with a wide breadth of human gastrointestinal disease, including numerous cancers, inflammatory disorders, and pathogenic infections, but is also known to confer fitness benefits to its host both indirectly, through interactions with other pathogens, and directly. Outstanding questions are therefore why, when, and how this bacterium transitions along the parasitism–mutualism continuum. We examine known virulence factors, genetic predispositions of the host, and environmental contributors that impact progression of clinical disease and help define geographical trends in disease incidence. We also highlight the complexity of the interaction and discuss future therapeutic strategies for disease management and public health in light of the longstanding evolutionary history between the bacterium and its human host.
N-gram Index Structure Study for Semantic Based Mathematical Formula

Recently mathematical formula retrieval has become a hot and difficult problem in the field of information science research. The paper presents an N-grams division method of mathematical formula, determines the granularities of division by experiments, and proposes calculating method of a sub-formula weight based on the complexity of formula, the length of N-grams and depth. In addition, this paper considers the impact that operators made on weights of sub-formulas and gives a method of calculating the weight that sub-formula shares in the whole formula. Experiments show that the methods of N-grams division and index construction have great help for sub-formula matching and weighting computation. The methods can also improve the recall and precision of sub-formulas. The quick and feasible semantic based method can greatly enhance the semantic search capabilities of mathematical search.
KING (Kinemage, Next Generation): A versatile interactive molecular and scientific visualization program

Proper visualization of scientific data is important for understanding spatial relationships. Particularly in the field of structural biology, where researchers seek to gain an understanding of the structure and function of biological macromolecules, it is important to have access to visualization programs which are fast, flexible, and customizable. We present KiNG, a Java program for visualizing scientific data, with a focus on macromolecular visualization. KiNG uses the kinemage graphics format, which is tuned for macromolecular structures, but is also ideal for many other kinds of spatially embedded information. KiNG is written in cross‐platform, open‐source Java code, and can be extended by end users through simple or elaborate “plug‐in” modules. Here, we present three such applications of KiNG to problems in structural biology (protein backbone rebuilding), bioinformatics of high‐dimensional data (e.g., protein sidechain chi angles), and classroom education (molecular illustration). KiNG is a mature platform for rapidly creating and capitalizing on scientific visualizations. As a research tool, it is invaluable as a test bed for new methods of visualizing scientific data and information. It is also a powerful presentation tool, whether for structure browsing, teaching, direct 3D display on the web, or as a method for creating pictures and videos for publications. KiNG is freely available for download at http://kinemage.biochem. duke.edu.
Data-Centered Control of Cooperating UAVs : Flying Airplanes with a Multimedia Database

As sensor networks grow in size and variety, the copious amounts of data become difficult for a user to comprehend. Furthermore, if sensors are mobile, e.g., video cameras carried on board an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a user must also control the sensor platforms. Such control is difficult for a single user, especially as the number of platforms grows. We present a system that addresses these issues, focusing specifically on UAV video sensors performing surveillance over large, remote areas. A single user controls a large fleet of UAVs while monitoring the sensor data by interactions with a multimedia database. Built on a geographical information system (GIS), the database stores and retrieves sensor and platform data. The user controls the UAVs by specifying predefined surveillance task in the database. A multiagent system (MAS) uses information in the database to plan the actions of the UAVs as they conduct their surveillance tasks under changing conditions. Predefined surveillance tasks allow for minimal communication between agents and reduce the computational power required by each UAV. We demonstrate the system using a small fleet of simulated UAVs collecting images over a surveillance area.