Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Learning Framework to Improve Video QoE in HTTP Adaptive Streaming SDN for Delivering Live Content

HTTP (Hyper Text Transport Protocol) adaptive streaming techniques suffers from start-up latencies and video stalls which impair Video Quality of Experience (QoE). We deal with these issues in 4 steps: i) we analyze the advantages of variable bit rate encoded streams on Adaptive Bit Rate (ABR) streaming and assess the impact of chunk sizes on video quality and scene complexity; ii) we propose a novel machine learning framework through a Gaussian Mixture model k-means clustering to isolate video stall events, the Machine Learning Pipeline runs these Support Vector Machines (SVM) algorithms to accurately predict the occurrence and duration of video stalls; iii) we employ Software Defined Networking (SDN) based OpenFlow controller to dynamically switch, re-prioritize tracks and chunk sizes across tracks to improve the overall Video QoE; iv) we further optimize this through an intelligent prediction of video stall occurrence and stall duration in accordance with network traffic conditions and scene complexity without compromising video quality.
Analysis of Social Network Measures with Respect to Structural Properties of Networks

Abstract : Social Network Analysis (SNA), the study of social interactions within a group, spans many different fields of study, ranging from psychology to biology to information sciences. Over the past half century, many analysts outside of the social science field have taken SNA concepts and theories and have applied them to an array of networks in the hope of formulating mathematical descriptions of the relations within the network of interest. More than 50 measures of networks have been identified across these fields; however, little research has examined the findings of these measures for possible relationships. This thesis tests a set of widely accepted SNA measures for correlation and redundancies with respect to the most accepted network structural properties: size, clustering coefficients, and scale-free parameters. The goal of the thesis is to investigate the SNA measures' ability to discriminate and identify different actors in a network. As a result, the study not only identifies high correlation amongst many of the measures, it also aids analysts in identifying which measure best suits a network with specific structural properties, and the measure's efficiency for a given analysis goal.
Estimates of virus- vs. grazing induced mortality of picophytoplankton in the North Sea during summer

': Microzooplankton grazing and vitally mediated mortality of the eukaryotic (3 size classes) and prokaryotic (Synechococcus) picophytoplankton was investigated across the North Sea during summer 2003. The fate of picophytoplankton differed among algal groups and their area of occurrence. Highest viral lysis rates (0.16 to 0.23 d -1 ) were recorded for specific picoeukaryotic groups in the coastal region and at a station at the deep chlorophyll a maximum (DCM). Viral lysis was insignificant at the other stations, despite a considerable percentage of dead algal cells (up to 38%), as determined by staining with the live/dead dye SYTOX Green. Microzooplankton actively grazed on picoeukaryotes (average per group 0.2 to 0.4 d -1 ), independent of the region studied. Grazing on Synechococcus was restricted to the coastal waters (0.7 d -1 ). Grazing by microzooplankton consumed 40 ± 27 % (mean ± SD) of the carbon produced by picophytoplankton, constituting in general the main loss factor. Viral lysis released 8 ± 13% of the total picophytoplankton carbon production, and locally up to 32%.
Real Options in Sustainable Development Projects

Sustainable development involves a change in the status quo. The most effective way for this change is driving projects. In a situation of limited resources, it is essential to choose the right project. Selection is based on an evaluation of the project. Traditionally, the evaluation of development projects is made on the basis of financial criteria. In the context of sustainable development, the social and environmental aspects must also be considered. Contemporary project valuation takes into account not only the static planned cash flows but also opportunities that may appear, known as real options. This paper describes a method for the valuation of development projects, taking into account the above aspects of valuation.
BANK MONITORING AS AN EXTERNAL GOVERNANCE MECHANISM AND THE BORROWERS’ FIRM VALUE

The objective of this research is to examine the effect of bank monitoring as an alternative of corporate governance mechanisms on the borrowers’ firm value. The strengths of bank monitoring on the borrowers are measured based on the magnitude of the bank loan, the size of the loan from banks with high monitoring quality, the length of a bank loan outstanding period, and the number of lenders. The research hypotheses were tested using multiple regression model with a sample of 230 companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange during 2009. The empirical results show that only the size of the loan from banks with high monitoring quality and the number of lenders significantly influences the borrowers’ firm value. These findings imply that only banks with high monitoring quality could play an important role in the corporate governance and therefore increasing the firm value by their monitoring function. Furthermore, bank monitoring is less effective if a company borrows from many banks, and therefore decreasing the firm value.
A study of perceived key success factors among salmon importers and distributors in Shanghai

This thesis seeks to identify how decision-makers (importers and distributors) in the Norwegian-Chinese salmon trade value chain in Shanghai market perceive the key success factors and their attributes to achieve company’s long term goals. An adapted business model is developed to check how these items are interactive. A reversed laddering technique is used with face to face in depth interview to generate the key informants’ mental maps. The general impression from the result is that the importers and distributors do not seem to be too far from each others’ perception and several factors are suggested to be paid more attention to due to the unique Chinese social environment, such as “guanxi”, “low price”, and “family support”.
New Double Current Controlled CFA (DCC–CFA) Based Voltage–Mode Oscillator with Independent Electronic Control of Oscillation Condition and Frequency

In this paper, a new electronically tunable quadrature oscillator (ETQO) based on two modified versions of current feedback amplifiers (CFAs), the so called double current controlled CFA (DCC-CFAs) is presented. The frequency of oscillation (FO) of the proposed voltage-mode (VM) ETQO is electronically adjustable by current gain or by varying the intrinsic resistance of the X terminal of the active element used. The condition of oscillation (CO) is adjustable by current gain independently with respect to frequency of oscillation. Simultaneous control of current gain and intrinsic resistance allows linear control of FO and provides extension of frequency tuning range. In the proposed circuit all the capacitors are grounded. The use of only grounded capacitors makes the proposed circuit ideal for integrated circuit implementation. The presented active element realized by using BiCMOS technology and the behavior of proposed circuit are discussed in details. The theoretical results are verified by SPICE simulations based on CMOS ON-Semi C5 0.5 μm and bipolar ultra high frequency transistor arrays Intersil HFA 3096 process parameters.
A comprehensive rocket and radar study of midlatitude spread F

[1] An instrumented sounding rocket launched from Wallops Island Virginia has flown through a midlatitude spread F (MSF) event in conjunction with simultaneous ionosonde, HF radar, and 244 MHz scintillation observations from the ground. The in situ measurements include the electric field, horizontal neutral wind, and plasma density within the spread F region. The ground-based HF radar measurements of wave signatures in the bottomside F region ledge reveal the presence of waves propagating to the north and northwest prior to and during the spreading event. The periods of these bottomside waves range from 16 to 60 min, and they are shown to be associated with a strong tropical storm located ∼2000 km southeast of the launch site. Enhancements in the auroral current system occur about an hour before the MSF first appears, but none of the observed waves can be attributed to this source. The new phase-sensitive ionosonde system operated at Wallops Island during the experiment confirms the long-standing hypothesis that this particular spread F event arises from multipath echoes distributed over a wide field of view in the bottomside F region. Evidence of vertically displaced plasma that could produce such multipath echoes is observed in the rocket data at and above the F region peak over spatial scales smaller than the wavelengths observed on the bottomside ledge by the HF radar, but similar to the range separation given by the high resolution ionosonde echoes when the scale lengths of the structures are interpreted in magnetic coordinates. No significant plasma density structures smaller than a few kilometers are observed in the rocket data, and no unusual scintillation is observed along a path coincident with the rocket trajectory.
Patchy disturbance favours longer dispersal distance

Question: How does the spatial pattern of habitat disturbance and availability affect the selection of dispersal distance? Modelling approach: We use an individual-based simulation model. By looking at the outcome of competition between individuals using different dispersal distances, the model simulates the selection of dispersal distance. Both habitat and disturbance are spatially structured and can range from a purely random pattern, through a fractal to complete aggregation (a solid block). Conclusions: The disturbance regime affects the selection of dispersal distance more strongly than landscape pattern does. Spatial aggregation of disturbance favours the selection of longer dispersal distances. Lower habitat availability favours shorter dispersal distances. When disturbance is not highly autocorrelated, aggregation of suitable habitat favours shorter dispersal distances.
Young people and the formation of attitudes towards the police

Much is now known about public trust and confidence in the police, especially regarding the important role of procedural justice in police–citizen engagements. However, less is known about perceptions of the police amongst young people and how their views are formed. We use survey data from more than 1500 young people aged 10–15 years whose parents were also interviewed in the Crime Survey for England and Wales (2010–12) to explore the extent that children’s views of the police correspond with those of their parents. We find a strong and consistent link between the views of children and their parents – a relationship moderated by perceptions of police visibility, experience of victimization and the age of the child.
Transferability of information technology and organisational practices

In this paper we argue that organisations in developing countries should be cautious when they adopt systems development methods and try to introduce organisational change by means of implementing IT based information systems. Transfer of techniques, methods, models and organisational practices, may impede rather than facilitate the utilisation of the potential of IT in developing countries. Organisations in developing countries need to learn ways that can serve their own requirements. To that end, developing countries may gain much more by following the theoretical efforts that have been made in the West to understand the nature of IS and organisational change, rather than by transfering practices packaged in the form of methods or organisational change recipes.
A Preliminary Survey on the Security of Software-Defined Networks

The number of devices connected to the Internet is increasing, data centers are growing continuously and computer networks are getting more complex. Traditional network management approach is becoming more difficult and insufficient. Software-Defined Networks (SDN) is a new generation networking approach which is expected to take place of the traditional computer networks. SDN architecture provides effective management of the large and complex networks. Although SDN have benefits from the network security perspective, it also brings new attack vectors. We believe that the network security problems in SDN architecture need more advanced solutions. In this work, a survey on the SDN security problems is presented, challenges are discussed. In this context, security threats and attack surfaces in SDN are described, the significant SDN security solution examples in the literature are given.
Design of Low Voltage and High-Speed BiCMOS Buffer for Driving Large Load Capacitor

BICMOS circuits are interesting for designers when a high speed output driver is required especially in I/O circuits. Buffer is an important block in high speed circuits, so designing a buffer with high drive capability has a great effect on circuits with large load capacitor. This paper presents a new BiCMOS buffer which uses 32nm technology node for CMOS transistors and 0.18um technology node for BJT transistors. The proposed buffer operates properly in voltage ranges from 0.8v to 1.5v. The capacitor range is from 0.5pf to 200pf; the overshoot of the output in this capacitor range is less than 10% of the supply voltage that is negligible. The proposed design has improvements in delay for about %88 respectively compared to similar CMOS buffers with high capacitor values.
STRUCTURE OF SOLUTIONS OF 3D AXISYMMETRIC NAVIER-STOKES EQUATIONS NEAR MAXIMAL POINTS

Letv be a solution of the axially symmetric Navier‐Stokes equation. We determine the structure of a certain (possible) maximal singularity ofv in the following sense. Let.x0; t0/ be a point where the flow speed Q0 D jv.x0; t0/j is comparable with the maximum flow speed at and before time t0. We show, after a space-time scaling with the factor Q0 and the center.x0; t0/, that the solution is arbitrarily close in C 2;1; local norm to a nonzero constant vector in a fixed parabolic cube, provided that r0 Q0 is sufficiently large. Here r0 is the distance from x0 to the z axis. Similar results are also shown to be valid if jr0v.x0; t0/j is comparable with the maximum of jrv.x; t/j at and before time t0. This mirrors a numerical result of Hou for the Euler equation: there exists a certain “calm spot” or depletion of vortex stretching in a region of high flow speed.
Border Crossings and Multimodal Composition in the Arts.

Developmental and development-oriented learning with digital media are discussed in relation to the concepts border crossings and multimodal composition. The first concept refers to a transveral of disciplines and recombinations of elements from them. Local-global relations in knowledge building are covered. The second refers to the collaborative construction of multiliteracies across media types and discourse modes. Three case studies relating to Zimbabwe are presented, one in fine arts and two in performing arts. A cultural historical activity theory frame is adopted. Analysis draws on expansive learning. As a whole multimodal discourse and activity theory may be enriched through study of students' production of mediating artifacts. With regard to developmental processes in student learning, I refer to border crossing in terms of students' engagement in experimental processes; by shaping digitally mediated art and performance works as mediating artifacts, and by communicating about those works academically. I use the term multimodal composition to encompass students' creative and critical constructions in fine and performing arts as part of their own emerging electronic multiliteracies. In the second sense of development, the article refers to how inquiry into the implementation of ICTs in learning involving Zimbabwean students has moved between two geographically remote countries, Zimbabwe in the 'south' and Norway in the 'north'. The material presented shows that perspectives, pedagogies and innovation may also move from their local genesis in a resource- strapped African higher educational and development setting to experimental works relating to Zimbabwe at a major university in one of the world's most technologically endowed countries. Three cases relating to Zimbabwe Three cases are presented 1 which may be seen as instances of how students' uses of ICTs may generate new knowledge for both themselves and for the research projects connected to them. The cases offer empirical evidence on ways in which experimental multimodal discourses may be built through student collaboration, via access to different media and modes of communicating, and in interdisciplinary partnerships. At a time of considerable political turmoil surrounding access
Joint effects of CSN3 and LGB genotypes and their relation to breeding values of milk production parameters in Czech Fleckvieh

The objective of this study was to estimate the joint effects of CSN3 and LGB genotypes on breeding values of milk production parameters. CSN3 (kappa-casein) and LGB (beta-lactoglobulin) genotypes of 120 Czech Fleckvieh sires were detected using the PCR-RFLP method. Breeding values of sires were obtained from the Official Database of Progeny Testing. Ten genotype combinations were detected. Genotypes ABAB (25.0%), ABAA (13.3%) and ABBB (13.3%) were the most frequent. Significant effects of genotype combinations on breeding values for fat and protein content were found. The highest breeding values for milk (+621 kg) and protein (+15.8 kg) yields were associated with genotype combination ABAA, while the highest breeding values for content parameters (+0.15% for protein content and +0.55% for fat content) were associated with genotype combination BBAB.
Utility of Certain Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution Reactions for the Assay of Ethamsylate in its Dosage forms and in Presence of its Degradation Product

Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Mansoura , 35516, Mansoura, Egypt. ff_belal@mans.edu. eg Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Mansoura , 35516, Mansoura, mohiese@mans.edu. eg Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Mansoura , 35516, Mansoura, manar2kareem@yahoo.com Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Mansoura , 35516, Mansoura, heba.alaa3@gmail.com
ASSESSMENT OF THERMIONIC EMISSION PROPERTIES AND BACK BOMBARDMENT EFFECTS FOR LaB6 AND CeB6

The emission properties of LaB6 and CeB6 materials as a thermionic cathode were determined experimentally in the range 1650 ~1900 K using an electrostatic DC gun. The determined emission properties were used in a developed numerical simulation model to investigate and compare the heating properties of LaB6 and CeB6 as cathode materials for thermionic RF gun against Back Bombardment (BB) electrons effect. The estimated work functions from the experimental results at 1600 K for LaB6 and CeB6 were 2.76 and 2.69 eV respectively. While, the simulation results for the BB effect showed that, for 6 s pulse duration with 8 MW RF power, LaB6 cathode experiences a large changes in the cathode temperature and 30% higher change in the current density compared with CeB6.
Infl uence of indole-3-butyric acid and triazole compounds on the photosynthetic pigments and biochemical constituents of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is popularly known as ashwagandha and also called Indian Ginseng and Winter Cherry. It is an important medicinal plant used in Indian System of Medicines like Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani. The root of this plant has nutritional and medicinal values out of which health foods and herbal tonic are prepared. The root has high demand in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries so that it is essential to increase the root yield. This is new phenomenon to increase root yield as well as improve the biochemical constituents by using plant growth regulators. In the present investigation, the influence of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and triazole compounds viz., triadimefon (TDM) and propiconazole (PCZ) on the photosynthetic pigments and biochemical constituents of ashwagandha. Plants were treated with IBA 2.5 mg/L, TDM 20 mg/L, and PCZ 20 mg/L separately by soil drenching on 50, 90, and 130 days after sowing (DAS). Plants were analyzed randomly on 60, 100, and 140 DAS and it’s parameters like, photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophyll, carotenoids, anthocyanin, and xanthophylls) in leaf and biochemical constituents (starch, protein and amino acids) in leaf, stem and root organs of ashwagandha. It was determined that total chlorophyll, carotenoids, anthocyanin, and xanthophylls, starch, protein and amino acids content were increased in all the treatments. Among the treatments, triazole compounds showed beneficial due to the enhanced the photosynthetic pigments and increased biochemical contents higher level than followed by IBA treatment. From our results, it can be concluded that the triazole shows great significance application at low concentration could be a potential agronomical tool for successfully cultivation of this medicinally important root crops. Triazole compounds enhanced the photo-assimilate to shifting partition from leaves to roots and also alter mineral uptake and plant nutrition, This characters’ can be employed to satisfy needs of enhanced the photosynthetic pigments and biochemical constituents in ashwagandha.
Creating Integrating Participatory Mapping Through a Web Application to Enable Public Involvement in City Planning: The Portneuf River Vision Study

This paper presents a conceptual framework for developing an online public participation geographic information system (PPGIS) to support community engagement in collaborative planning with stakeholders. Its basic characteristics include a lightweight, open internet standard data format GeoJSON (JavaScript Object Notation for geographical features), asynchronous communication between web browser and server, and open source server scripts using PHP and Python. This readily adaptable framework provides viewers with real-time processing and display of geo-comments, and preliminary descriptive statistics of participating social groups based on location and commentary themes. Visualizations are in the form pie charts and word clouds, which are understandable for a wide variety of non-expert GIS and/or urban planning users. This framework can also handle concurrent and multiple user requests. The advantage of this PPGIS web-based mapping application is that any web server can implement the workflow, and its real-time feedback feature supports the monitoring of social groups’ participation.