Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of profitability of shrimp value chain in Delta State, Nigeria

This study investigated the profitability of shrimp value chain. Primary data were obtained using well structured questionnaire from randomly selected 240 shrimp operators (harvesters, processors and marketers). Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyze collected data. The result revealed that the mean profit realized was N70,092 N36,255 and N26,097.30 by harvesters, processors and marketers respectively. Value added at was N500 and N1000 per basket by processors and marketers respectively. Test of hypothesis indicates that quantity sold (0.218), price (0.033), bargaining power (0.002) and union dues (0.099), showed positive and significant relationship with shrimp value chain profitability. While market levy and store rent showed negative relationship with profitability in shrimp value chain. It was recommended that there should be moderate store rent. Marketers should increase their bargaining power at the point of procurement and union dues should be reduced so that shrimp value chain profitability can be enhanced.
Acoustic noise‐optimized verse pulses

Variable‐rate selective excitation RF pulses modulate the slice selection gradients during RF transmission, especially to reduce the total RF power. Amplitude‐modulated slice selection gradients can lead to increased gradient noise, in particular in high‐field MRI where variable‐rate selective excitation techniques are often used. In this work, an algorithm is presented that calculates a variable‐rate selective excitation pulse modulation from given RF pulses with constant slice selection gradient. The algorithm avoids the known acoustic resonance frequencies of the gradient system to minimize sound pressure levels. It was tested with four different slice‐selective RF pulse shapes (Sinc, Gaussian, and two Shinnar‐LeRoux). Sound measurements revealed a reduction of the mean sound pressure level by up to 13dB, and simultaneously, the specific absorption rate was reduced by 55%. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contrast agents for photoacoustic imaging

In photoacoustic imaging, a pulsed laser is used to irradiate tissue but instead of measuring photons to obtain an image of anatomical structures hidden inside, ultrasound is measured. This is because different structures situated in the tissue can absorb light to different extents; this absorbed energy is converted into ultrasonic waves through the thermoelastic effect. The resulting pressure build up relaxes with the propagation of a stress wave which lies in the ultrasound frequency range. By analyzing the ultrasonic waves produced by the absorbing structures, it is possible to reconstruct the position, size, shape and optical properties of these structures. The technique has great potential in the detection and imaging of cancerous tissue; cancers are usually characterized by angiogenesis-driven higher absorption compared with healthy tissue. Laser light in the near-infrared (NIR) region is used to image deeper structures due to higher penetration depths at these wavelengths. However, in the near-infrared wavelengths, the absorption coefficient of blood, the natural photoacoustic source is low. In order to enhance the photoacoustic effect in deeper structures, we require contrast agents. Contrast agents in general must be biocompatible and highly specific to the disease, and specifically for photoacoustic imaging, they must have high absorption coefficients. Special physical and optical properties of gold nanorods recommend them as contrast agents for photoacoustic imaging. In the absorbance spectrum, these particles presents two peaks, the one around 520 nm in the green is called tranverse plasmon peak and the other one is red shifted and called longitudinal plasmon (LP) peak. By changing the size and aspect ratio of these gold nanorods is it possible to tune the position of the longitudinal plasmon peak to any desired wavelength in the NIR region. Using an appropriate conjugation of gold nanorods with specific proteins, it is desired to accumulate a large number of a particles a cancer site. The photoacoustic effect generated by the accumulated gold nanorods when excited at the wavelength corresponding to the LP peak should then be higher than blood, allowing higher sensitivity, better
Anton Yeshchenko An Eye into the Future : Leveraging APriori Knowledge in Predictive Business Process Monitoring

Predictive business process monitoring aims at leveraging past process execution data to predict how ongoing (uncompleted) process executions will unfold up to their completion. Nevertheless, cases exist in which, together with past execution data, some additional knowledge (a-priori knowledge) about how a process execution will develop in the future is available. This knowledge about the future can be leveraged for improving the quality of the predictions of events that are currently unknown. In this thesis, we present two techniques based on Recurrent Neural Networks with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) cells able to leverage knowledge about the structure of the process execution traces as well as a-priori knowledge about how they will unfold in the future for predicting the sequence of future activities of ongoing process executions. The results obtained by applying these techniques on six real-life logs show an improvement in terms of accuracy over a plain LSTM-based baseline.
Qualitative validation of a financially affordable Islamic home financing model

Purpose This study aims to validate a potential synergistic venture between cash waqf (Islamic endowment) institutions (CWIs) and financial cooperatives (FCs) in the provision of affordable Islamic home financing (IHF) in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted semi-structured interviews with ten experts to validate the cash waqf-financial-cooperative-mushārakah mutanāqiṣah (CWFCMM) model. Thematic analysis technique was used to analyse the verbatim texts. Findings The findings show that the majority of the informants have positive perceptions of the potential of the CWFCMM model to provide financially affordable IHF products in Malaysia. Nevertheless, this study sheds light on the varying degrees of latent issues and challenges that might arise in the implementation of this model. For example, FCs need to practice the correct business model, implement good governance structures and employ the right people. Meanwhile, CWIs need to work on their accountability issues by publishing their audited accounts in mainstream newspapers, much like what is being done by non-governmental organisations such as the widely recognised Malaysian Medical Relief Society (MERCY Malaysia). Research limitations/implications This study interviewed a small, industry-specific number of informants in generating its findings. Time and budget constraints are some of the limiting factors in carrying out the study. Because of these factors, the generalisation of the study’s findings will be limited. Practical implications First, the CWFCMM model offers an alternative, financially affordable IHF instrument to low- and middle-income households in Malaysia. Second, the involvement of third-sector institutions such as FCs and CWIs in the provision of IHF will reduce the burden of the government in its spending on home financing solutions for civil servants. Third, this model will harness the potential of waqf-based financing beyond the contemporary limited applications to mosques, graveyards and taḥfīẓ (Qurʾan memorization) schools. Originality/value This study presents an alternative IHF model that transcends the current institutional framework that is heavily dominated by Islamic commercial banks and government-owned home financing institutions. The study does not focus on a single third-sector institution but on an integration of at least two of them, CWIs and FCs, in implementing the IHF model.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE INNER RETINAL LAYER THICKNESSES IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION USING CORRECTED OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY SEGMENTATION

Purpose: To characterize inner retinal damage in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using high-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography images. Methods: Sixty eyes of 60 patients with AMD were categorized using the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) severity scale. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography images of these patients were quantified by manually correcting the segmentation of each retinal layer, including the retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, and inner plexiform layer to ensure accurate delineation of layers. The mean ganglion cell complex thickness values (ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer + retinal nerve fiber layer) were compared with 30 eyes of 30 healthy subjects. Results: Ninety percent of eyes (81 eyes) required manual correction of segmentation. Compared with healthy subjects, mean ganglion cell complex thicknesses significantly decreased in more advanced dry AMD eyes, and this decrease was predominantly related to a change in inner plexiform layer thickness. There was no significant difference in thickness-related measurements between milder dry AMD (AREDS-2) eyes and healthy eyes (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with dry AMD, automatic optical coherence tomography segmentation algorithms may be erroneous. As the severity of dry AMD increases, the inner plexiform layer layer becomes thinned, suggesting that transsynaptic degeneration may be occurring, as the photoreceptor layer is affected by AMD.
Move-Instance-Method Refactorings : Experience , Issues , and Solutions

Refactorings, by definition, preserve the behavior of a target program. Such a strong property is encoded by precisely defined preconditions for each refactoring. Only if all preconditions are satisfied will a target program be transformed. Code transformation is done by following the rules defined to produce syntactically-correct, refactored code. Consequently, most behavior-changing violations in refactorings are induced by incorrect preconditions or lack of required checks. In this paper, we show how the transformation rules commonly used in four Java IDEs change program behavior in a Move-Instance-Method Refactoring (MiMr). We report that all have flaws in code transformation and propose solutions for each identified problem in MiMrs.
Differential Biological Effects of Dietary Lipids and Irradiation on the Aorta, Aortic Valve, and the Mitral Valve

Aims Dietary cholesterol and palmitic acid are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) affecting the arteries and the heart valves. The ionizing radiation that is frequently used as an anticancer treatment promotes CVD. The specific pathophysiology of these distinct disease manifestations is poorly understood. We, therefore, studied the biological effects of these dietary lipids and their cardiac irradiation on the arteries and the heart valves in the rabbit models of CVD. Methods and Results Cholesterol-enriched diet led to the thickening of the aortic wall and the aortic valve leaflets, immune cell infiltration in the aorta, mitral and aortic valves, as well as aortic valve calcification. Numerous cells expressing α-smooth muscle actin were detected in both the mitral and aortic valves. Lard-enriched diet induced massive aorta and aortic valve calcification, with no detectable immune cell infiltration. The addition of cardiac irradiation to the cholesterol diet yielded more calcification and more immune cell infiltrates in the atheroma and the aortic valve than cholesterol alone. RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analyses of aorta and heart valves revealed that a cholesterol-enriched diet mainly triggered inflammation-related biological processes in the aorta, aortic and mitral valves, which was further enhanced by cardiac irradiation. Lard-enriched diet rather affected calcification- and muscle-related processes in the aorta and aortic valve, respectively. Neutrophil count and systemic levels of platelet factor 4 and ent-8-iso-15(S)-PGF2α were identified as early biomarkers of cholesterol-induced tissue alterations, while cardiac irradiation resulted in elevated levels of circulating nucleosomes. Conclusion Dietary cholesterol, palmitic acid, and cardiac irradiation combined with a cholesterol-rich diet led to the development of distinct vascular and valvular lesions and changes in the circulating biomarkers. Hence, our study highlights unprecedented specificities related to common risk factors that underlie CVD.
Schottky gate of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs: Investigation with DC and low frequency noise measurements after 7000 hours HTOL test

This paper reports on AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) that have been aged by high temperature operating life test (HTOL) during 7000 hours. DC characterization of some aged devices revealed an electrical parasitic effect named “Belly-Shape” that is detected on the gate-source and gate-drain diodes forward current-voltage characteristics. The belly-shape effect is characterized by higher gate current compared to the one of the virgin device for VGs/d below 1.2V. Low frequency gate current noise measurements have been performed at 300K and VDS=0V to analyze the physical origin of this parasitic effect. The relative LF gate current noise is higher for aged than for virgin devices. For Vgs/d <; 1.2V, devices without the parasitic effect exhibit 1/f noise which is proportional to the square of IG, while the devices with the parasitic effect exhibit visible Lorentzian noise that is that is nonrepeatable even when measured with the same bias conditions as well as the belly shape effect in the dc characteristics. On the contrary, all devices present 1/f noise for Vgs/d >1.2V where the gate current is governed by diode series resistance.
Comparative Study of various Surveys on Sentiment Analysis

Content development in the Internet as of late has made an enormous volume of data accessible. Tons of data is generated every single day and we are making no use of it. Data is rich and knowledge is very poor. Data analysis provides the efficient way to take a good decision. By using various Data mining techniques, analysis of sentiments is done. Analysis of sentiments in various fields, namely, twitter, movie reviews and product reviews has been done. In this paper, we have discussed the various researches done in the field of sentiment analysis. Much work has been done in sentiment analysis, even then there are few areas that are still need to be covered. Comparison has been made between various approaches used
Purification and Transcriptomic Analysis of Mouse Fetal Leydig Cells Reveals Candidate Genes for Specification of Gonadal Steroidogenic Cells1

ABSTRACT Male sex determination hinges on the development of testes in the embryo, beginning with the differentiation of Sertoli cells under the influence of the Y-linked gene SRY. Sertoli cells then orchestrate fetal testis formation including the specification of fetal Leydig cells (FLCs) that produce steroid hormones to direct virilization of the XY embryo. As the majority of XY disorders of sex development (DSDs) remain unexplained at the molecular genetic level, we reasoned that genes involved in FLC development might represent an unappreciated source of candidate XY DSD genes. To identify these genes, and to gain a more detailed understanding of the regulatory networks underpinning the specification and differentiation of the FLC population, we developed methods for isolating fetal Sertoli, Leydig, and interstitial cell-enriched subpopulations using an Sf1-eGFP transgenic mouse line. RNA sequencing followed by rigorous bioinformatic filtering identified 84 genes upregulated in FLCs, 704 genes upregulated in nonsteroidogenic interstitial cells, and 1217 genes upregulated in the Sertoli cells at 12.5 days postcoitum. The analysis revealed a trend for expression of components of neuroactive ligand interactions in FLCs and Sertoli cells and identified factors potentially involved in signaling between the Sertoli cells, FLCs, and interstitial cells. We identified 61 genes that were not known previously to be involved in specification or differentiation of FLCs. This dataset provides a platform for exploring the biology of FLCs and understanding the role of these cells in testicular development. In addition, it provides a basis for targeted studies designed to identify causes of idiopathic XY DSD.
Converting the TüBa-D/Z Treebank of German to Universal Dependencies

This paper describes the conversion of T¨uBa-D/Z, one of the major German constituency treebanks, to Universal Depen-dencies. Besides the automatic conversion process, we describe manual annotation of a small part of the treebank based on the UD annotation scheme for the purposes of evaluating the automatic conversion. The automatic conversion shows fairly high agreement with the manual annotations.
Competitive strategy and the role of narrative infrastructure: the case of Turkish contractors

This paper is about competitive strategy in the international construction sector. Drawing on the ‘narrative turn’ in organisation studies, it emphasises the temporal and discursively constructed nature of competitive strategy. Competitive strategy narratives are seen to provide a means of understanding the formation and enactment of strategy. The empirical analysis focuses on the narrative infrastructure as produced by the Turkish Contractors Association (TCA). The findings highlight the multi-actor and multi-level processes of strategy making. They further illustrate the way in which narrative building blocks that are continuously mobilized as part of the on-going progress of strategizing on the sectorial level. The nuances of the identified narrative building blocks are seen to reflect the complexity and diversity across individual accounts of strategy making.
Glass based interposers for RF applications up to 100GHz

Glass is well established as wafer or panel substrate for applications like capping of image sensors or as low loss carrier for integrated passive devices. Glass substrates with higher functionality becomes more attractive for the advanced packaging due the improvement of glass processing and the increased implementation of photonic packaging which is demanded for higher data transfer rates. The through glass vias are therefore essential for the SiP and 3-D integration.
Multi-process Optimization Via Horizontal Message Queue Partitioning

Message-oriented integration platforms execute integration processes—in the sense of workflow-based process specifications of integration tasks—in order to exchange data between heterogeneous systems and applications. The overall optimization objective is throughput maximization, i.e., maximizing the number of processed messages per time period. Here, moderate latency time of single messages is acceptable. The efficiency of the central integration platform is crucial for enterprise data management because both the data consistency between operational systems and the up-to-dateness of analytical query results depend on it. With the aim of integration process throughput maximization, we propose the concept of multi-process optimization (MPO). In this approach, messages are collected during a waiting period and executed in batches to optimize sequences of process instances of a single process plan. We introduce a horizontal—and thus, valuebased—partitioning approach for message batch creation and show how to compute the optimal waiting time with regard to throughput maximization. This approach significantly reduces the total processing time of a message sequence and hence, it maximizes the throughput while accepting moderate latency time.
Genome wide identification and expression profile in epithelial cells exposed to TiO2 particles

Environmental particles are believed to provoke airway inflammation in susceptible individuals by stimulating epithelial cells to release mediators that exacerbate lung diseases. Here, we sought to identify genes expressed throughout the genome by epithelial cells stimulated with TiO2 particles. A human bronchial epithelial cell line, BEAS‐2B, was stimulated with or without 40 µg TiO2 for 2 h. RNA was purified from cells and subjected to microarray analysis. Genes exhibiting more than a twofold change in RNA expression were selected. Candidate genes were then analyzed using bioinformatics tools, including pathway, ontology, and network analyses. ITGAV mRNA expression levels were measured in BEAS‐2B cells using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Among 37,803 genes, 92 genes displayed more than a twofold change in mRNA levels according to the microarray analysis; 87 genes were upregulated while five genes were downregulated. The 92 genes were classified based on functional annotation using a protein information resource database search for biological processes and a pathway search using the KEGG pathway database. These genes are related to macromolecule biosynthesis, metabolic processes and, in particular, RNA metabolism. When genes with more than a threefold change were analyzed, KIF11, ITGAV, SEMA3C, IBTK, and DEK were selected as candidate genes induced by TiO2‐stimulated BEAS‐2B cells. To validate these results, BEAS‐2B cells stimulated with 40 µg TiO2 expressed threefold higher ITGAV mRNA levels compared to those without TiO2 particle stimulation. We conclude that KIF11, ITGAV, SEMA3C, IBTK, and DEK are candidate genes expressed by epithelial cells when stimulated with TiO2 particles. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 293–300, 2015.
Enterprise Project Governance: A Guide to the Successful Management of Projects Across the Organization

New projects are the key to ensuring an organization’s growth—and as we enter an increasingly competitive global economy, companies of all stripes struggle to effectively govern the multiplicity of projects needed to survive and prosper.Enterprise Project Governance reveals proven techniques for dealing with simultaneous initiatives and ensuring that programs and projects align with the priorities, resources, and strategies of the organization—and ultimately create value. Complete with enlightening examples and case studies, the book provides readers with practical methods for incorporating enterprise project governance into their organization’s culture, synchronizing it with corporate governance, and maximizing efficiency and results across departments. Whether one’s view is from the boardroom, the executive suite, the project management office, or the project trenches, this is the essential guide for anyone managing multiple projects.