Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How motivation stimulates performance : The mediating role of creativity from multilevel perspectives

The study proposed that individual creativity can be motivated through both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and creativity can also be enhanced by team-level effect. Besides, employees with high level creativity can achieve high work performance. Moreover, the present study also proposed that team climate for innovation affects different kinds of team performance at the team level. Subjective data (independent variables and mediators) were collected from 237 R&D employees (20 project teams) of a company, and objective data (the performance of employees and their teams) were acquired from the organizational record. Results revealed that creativity could fully mediate the relationship between motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic) and performance, and the interaction effects of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations on creativity and performance were significant. Furthermore, team climate for innovation at the team level had cross effect on employee creativity at individual level. The implications of the findings, limitations, and direction for future study are discussed. Keyword: creativity, motivation, team climate for innovation, multilevel analysis, objective performance
Trade and institutions : do not forget institutional distance ∗

This paper examines institutional determinants of bilateral trade in a thorough fashion, paying special attention to the issues of selecting institutional measures (using a new institutional dataset), institutional endogeneity (cleansing the endogenous part) and state of the art gravity trade estimations (controlling for multilateral resistance). In terms of the institutional focus, we emphasize that institutional distance can be an even more relevant determinant of trade than institutional quality on its own, which is generally overlooked in the literature. We derive a theoretical gravity equation and test it empirically. We find that not all types of institutions matter for bilateral trade to the same extent. The significant marginal effects discovered can be seen as the push factor of origin’s legal institutions and the pull factor of destination’s political and economic institutions. More importantly, we highlight the importance of the effect of institutional distance on trade, showing that economic distance affects trade significantly and negatively, as expected in through trade costs, while political institutional distance increases trade, pointing to alternative ways of trade enhancement. We confirm these results with an alternative specification and show also their heterogeneity, whereas both institutional distance effects dissipate for country pairs sharing a regional trade agreement.
On the use of Machine Learning techniques to detect Malware in Android Operative System : A survey

In this survey we explore the most novel and relevant approaches for malware detection in Android Operative System using Machine Learning techniques. Specifically, we reviewed the most cited published works from 2012 to 2016. The target audience is machine learning researchers, therefore we first provide a substantial general overview on mobile device security, as well as on Android Operative System and security. The survey is organized by the type of analysis that is performed: static, dynamic, permission-based or hybrid. Along with a description of each work, we analyze Machine Learning relevant elements: the features, the dataset, the models and the performance results. We additionally provide a comparative table with all the surveyed works with additional elements (such as the scope, type of malware, monitoring environment and type of learning), which can be consulted here. We conclude the survey with some opportunity areas regarding a Machine Learning approach for Android malware detection, together with interesting venues of work regarding a general approach to detect Android malware.
TWO PARAMETRIC NEW GENERALIZED AVERAGE CODEWORD LENGTH AND ITS BOUNDS IN TERMS OF NEW GENERALIZED INACCURACY MEASURE AND THEIR CHARACTERIZATION

In this research article we develop a new two parametric new generalized inaccuracy measure ( ) and a new two parametric generalized average code-word length ( ). These measures are the generalizations of some familiar measures existing in the subjects of information and coding theory. Also we develop the noiseless coding theorems for discrete noiseless channel. (i.e., we find the lower and upper bounds of ( ) in terms of ( )). The mathematical results obtained in this research article are verified by using empirical data. Also the monotonic behavior of ( ) and ( ) with respect to parameters and have been discussed.
AUTO-TAGGING USING SPARSE FEATURES

Unsupervised feature learning algorithms such as sparse coding and deep belief networks have been shown a viable alternative to hand-crafted feature design for music information retrieval. Nevertheless, such algorithms are usually computationally expensive. This paper investigates techniques to accelerate sparse feature extraction and music classification. To study the trade-off between computational efficiency and accuracy, we compare state-of-the-art, dense audio features with sparse features computed using 1) sparse coding with a random dictionary, 2) randomized clustering forest, and 3) an extension of randomized clustering forest to temporal signals. For classifier training and prediction, we compare support vector machines with linear or non-linear kernel functions. We conduct evaluation on music auto-tagging for 140 genre/style tags using a subset of 7,799 songs of the CAL10k data set. Our result leads to an 11-fold speed increase with 3.45% accuracy loss comparing to dense features. With the proposed sparse features, the feature extraction and auto-tagging operations can be finished in 1 second per song, with 0.1302 tagging accuracy in mean average precision.
Assessing Beaufort Sea Polar Bear Health : Associations between hematological and serological endpoints

A study of free ranging populations of polar bears in northern Alaska has been initiated to establish clinical (health) baseline data in order to monitor potential change in health status using multiple hematologic endpoints and infectious agents exposure measures. Plasma protein, hematocrit, total leukocyte and leukocyte differential counts measured fall within one standard deviation of values reported for captive polar bears (International Species Database). A relatively high prevalence of serum antibodies to four morbilliviral species [canine distemper (CDV), dolphin morbillivirus (DMV), phocine distemper (PDV), and porpoise morbillivirus (PMV)] were also identified. This group of viruses can cause significant disease and mortality in populations of some marine mammals as well as interfere with differentiation and specialization of lymphocytes in vitro. Serological data indicate 49% of animals tested (n=137) in 2005 and 2006 combined were positive for antibodies to CDV, DMV, PDV, and/or PMV via differential serum neutralization. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were found in 13% and 12% of animals tested for consecutive sample years, with titers as high as 1:2048. Relationships between antibody titers and hematological parameters were examined, revealing significant decreases in total leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and eosinophils with increasing CDV titer. In addition, a significant positive relationship was found between eosinophils and increasing titer to Toxoplasma gondii. Functional assays (e.g. blastogenesis), further sample collection (Spring 2007) and pending analyses including an epidemiologic approach will assist in evaluating the biological significance of these observed changes.
Hexavalent chromium and isocyanate exposures during military aircraft painting under crossflow ventilation

ABSTRACT Exposure control systems performance was investigated in an aircraft painting hangar. The ability of the ventilation system and respiratory protection program to limit worker exposures was examined through air sampling during painting of F/A-18C/D strike fighter aircraft, in four field surveys. Air velocities were measured across the supply filter, exhaust filter, and hangar midplane under crossflow ventilation. Air sampling conducted during painting process phases (wipe-down, primer spraying, and topcoat spraying) encompassed volatile organic compounds, total particulate matter, Cr[VI], metals, nitroethane, and hexamethylene diisocyanate, for two worker groups: sprayers and sprayer helpers (“hosemen”). One of six methyl ethyl ketone and two of six methyl isobutyl ketone samples exceeded the short term exposure limits of 300 and 75 ppm, with means 57 ppm and 63 ppm, respectively. All 12 Cr[VI] 8-hr time-weighted averages exceeded the recommended exposure limit of 1 µg/m3, 11 out of 12 exceeded the permissible exposure limit of 5 µg/m3, and 7 out of 12 exceeded the threshold limit value of 10 µg/m3, with means 38 µg/m3 for sprayers and 8.3 µg/m3 for hosemen. Hexamethylene diisocyanate means were 5.95 µg/m3 for sprayers and 0.645 µg/m3 for hosemen. Total reactive isocyanate group—the total of monomer and oligomer as NCO group mass—showed 6 of 15 personal samples exceeded the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive workplace exposure limit of 20 µg/m3, with means 50.9 µg/m3 for sprayers and 7.29 µg/m3 for hosemen. Several exposure limits were exceeded, reinforcing continued use of personal protective equipment. The supply rate, 94.4 m3/s (200,000 cfm), produced a velocity of 8.58 m/s (157 fpm) at the supply filter, while the exhaust rate, 68.7 m3/s (146,000 cfm), drew 1.34 m/s (264 fpm) at the exhaust filter. Midway between supply and exhaust locations, the velocity was 0.528 m/s (104 fpm). Supply rate exceeding exhaust rate created re-circulations, turbulence, and fugitive emissions, while wasting energy. Smoke releases showing more effective ventilation here than in other aircraft painting facilities carries technical feasibility relevance.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis and Other Musculoskeletal Conditions Policy

When Policy Topic is not covered Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), using either a highor low-dose protocol or radial ESWT, is considered investigational, as a treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, including but not limited to plantar fasciitis; tendinopathies including tendinitis of the shoulder, tendinitis of the elbow (lateral epicondylitis), Achilles tendinitis, and patellar tendinitis; stress fractures, delayed union, non-union and avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
Fermentative Production of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from Glycerol by Zobellella taiwanensis Azu-IN1

Article history: Received on: 10/07/2017 Accepted on: 24/08/2017 Available online: 30/10/2017 Polyhydroxyalkalonates (PHAs) are biodegradable thermoplastics that are receiving immense attention as an alternative to petroleum derived plastics. The present study aimed to produce PHA using cheap and ecofriendly biodiesel waste glycerol as a substrate. Several PHA–producing bacterial isolates were isolated from different environmental samples and their efficacy for PHA production was assessed. Isolate Azu-IN1 showed the highest PHA production and was identified as Zobellella taiwanensis Azu-IN1 using 16S rRNA gene sequence and biochemical characterization. Factors affecting PHA production were optimized in batch fermentations. Supplementation of ammonium chloride as nitrogen source, methanol as an auxiliary carbon source, and agitation rate are the main limiting factors affecting PHA production. Maximum PHA production of 2.65 g/L at recovery yield of 50.3 (%), w/w) was achieved after 36 h in batch fermentation using optimized medium. Enhanced PHA production of 3.73 g/L with recovery yield of 61.7 % (w/w) was obtained in fed batch fermentation. The characteristics of extracted PHA were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) 1 H and 13 C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This is the first report on accumulation of PHA by Zobellella taiwanensis using glycerol as the sole carbon source.
Novel Approach For Low Power 7 Bit Flash Adc With Cascade Latch Interpolation

Naturally occurring signals analog which needs to be converted into digital for making the process easier. ADC is used for the conversion of analog signal into digital signal. The design of ADCs for high speed, high precision and low power dissipation is one the difficult challenges in analog design. The flash ADC is used for converting the analog signal to digital signal with high speed. The 7-bit flash ADC is designed with a conversion speed of 2G/s by using cascaded latch interpolation technique which results in the reduction of comparators count to one fourth of its original count. The technique achieves a 4x interpolation factor with only dynamic comparators. A background latching time adjustment scheme utilizing a replica latch array ensures an interpolation capability that is robust to process. Interpolation accuracy is achieved using this designed 7-bit flash ADC.
Variable Structure Control for Hypersonic Vehicle Based on Model Reference

A hypersonic vehicle has a large flight envelope span, complicated flight environment, glaring external perturbation and unknown factor interference, being difficult to establish its precise model. Furthermore, the advanced airframe-engine integrated design technique makes it sensitive to change in flight conditions, thus challenging the design of its control system. We design the model reference variable structural control (MRVSC) scheme that can resist the internal structural parametric variation and external perturbation of the control system. The scheme has the merits of both adaptive control and variable structural control, can effectively track the reference model and resist the great parametric variation, effectively enhancing the robustness of the control system of the hypersonic vehicle. We design its pitch channel controller and roll channel controller with the model reference variable structural control theory, evaluate the performances of main design points of each channel and perform the 6-DOF simulation to verify the control system. The verification results show preliminarily that the step responses of the MRVSC we designed are basically unchangeable in the two states that the hypersonic vehicle has its cowling or no cowling, while the PID controller cannot ensure that the step responses are unchangeable when the state changes, indicating that the MRVSC scheme is superior to the PID controller when the control has uncertainties. The 6-DOF simulation results further verify that the MRVSC scheme can better resist great parametric variation and has strong robustness.
Memory effects in the biomechanical behavior of ex-vivo skin under acousto-mechanical testings : a multiscale Preisach modeling of aging

A novel modeling approach for describing the multiscale properties of ex vivo skin is proposed. An acousto-mechanical experiment using the mixing of a mechanical loading (conducted at 10 Hz frequency) and an ultrasonic 100 MHz TR-NEWS probing system has been implemented in order to extract the nonclassical nonlinearity of porcine skin. A 100 kN load cell, was used to measure displacement and tensile load. Various displacement rates were imposed (1 ; 0.5 and 0.1 mm/s) and the maximum elongation was set to 25 mm. To overcome the difficulty of skin aging characterization, the use of Preisach modeling (PM space) is suggested and confirmed. Since collagen fibrils exhibit a highly nonlinear mechanical response, the three main stress-strain regimes should be described pragmatically with a statistical approach provided by the Preisach model, which can be expressed as a weighted combination of relay operators (or hysterons). Hysteresis behavior coming from the complex loading of the skin is identified with the new PM space statistical approach. Statistical distributions of the PM space are obtained with various statistics. It is found that optimization techniques with L2 distance and φ-divergence measures induces a PM space with 1000 hysterons distributed along a mixture of two Guyer distributions. Analysis of data coming from hysteresis behavior shows that PM-space approach is suggested as a new tool for extracting multi-scale parameters containing information about aging of the skin.
Remote Sensing-Derived Bathymetry of Lake Poopó

Abstract: Located within the Altiplano at 3,686 m above sea level, Lake Poopo is remarkably shallow and very sensitive to hydrologic recharge. Progressive drying has been observed in the entire Titicaca-Poopo-Desaguadero-Salar de Coipasa (TPDS) system during the last decade, causing dramatic changes to Lake Poopo’s surface and its regional water supplies. Our research aims to improve understanding of Lake Poopo water storage capacity. Thus, we propose a new method based on freely available remote sensing data to reproduce Lake Poopo bathymetry. Laser ranging altimeter ICESat (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite) is used during the lake’s lowest stages to measure vertical heights with high precision over dry land. These heights are used to estimate elevations of water contours obtained with Landsat imagery. Contour points with assigned elevation are filtered and grouped in a points cloud. Mesh gridding and interpolation function are then applied to construct 3D bathymetry. Complementary analysis of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) surfaces from 2000 to 2012 combined with bathymetry gives water levels and storage evolution every 8 days.
Akademia Baru Design and Development of a Coconut De-Husking Machine ( Machine Component Design )

A coconut de-husking machine comprising of two rollers with spikes, chain drives, presser, clearers, shafts and belting system was developed for small-scale production in rural areas. Performance test analysis showed that the machine de-husks coconut fruits without any nut breakage or distortion of the extracted fibre length. The objective of this project is to improve the efficiency and productivity in producing coconut fruits without husks by using the best selection of mechanical mechanisms with minimum costs. One electric motor (2hp, 1500rpm) is used to drive two shafts using a combination of pulley and belt. In between the motor and the shafts, one box of worm gears is used to reduce the rotation speed from 1500rpm to 21rpm (ratio 70:1). Two metal cylinders with a series of spikes are used to remove the husks from the coconut fruit and are attached to the rotary shaft. The machine’s average de-husking efficiency and capacity are 90.42% and 222 coconuts per hour, respectively. In addition, the development of the machine is also a solution to the constraint of space, whereby a compact-size machine is more suitable for small and medium enterprises (SME’s). Plus, it operates with lesser noise, which also contributes to a more viable operating condition for the environment. Copyright © 2015 Penerbit Akademia Baru All rights reserved.
A fast and accurate sonar-ring sensor for a mobile robot

A sonar-ring is one of the most popular sensors for indoor mobile robots, because it is simple and gives omni-directional distance information directly. However, it is difficult to measure the accurate direction of reflecting points by a conventional sonar-ring sensor. Further more, conventional sonar-ring sensors are slow to get full 360 degrees information due to sequential driving of transducers for avoiding interference. We propose a new sonar-ring sensor system for a mobile robot which can measure the accurate bearing angles of reflecting objects in a single measurement. The proposed system employs measurement by using differences of time-of-flight and by simultaneous transmit/receive of all directions, and consequently achieve fast measurement. We implemented a prototype of the proposed sonar-ring on a mobile robot. Experimental data show the effectiveness of the proposed system.
Best ManageMent Practices FOr OiL PaLM cULtiVatiOn On Peat: grOUnD Water-taBLe Maintenance in reLatiOn tO Peat sUBsiDence anD estiMatiOn OF cO2 eMissiOns at sessang, saraWak

The study on peat subsidence was carried out in an area of shallow and deep peat in MPOB Research Station in Sessang, Sarawak. Upon completion of the latest phase of peat development for oil palm planting in 2001, water management was improved to maintain the ground water-table at 30 to 50 cm over the whole plantation. Data on peat subsidence and oil palm yields were collected from 10 blocks of oil palm of different ages planted on peat of different depths ranging from shallow to deep peat. A regression equation was established with subsidence data as a dependent variable, while ground water-table and time with quadratic effects were independent variables. Two separate equations were developed for the different depths of peat. The study shows that the subsidence rate was very much related to the age of peat development, i.e. the number of years after oil palm had been planted. The subsidence rate over the years declined and stabilised after 15 years of peat development. A relationship between bulk density of the peat and age of peat development was also established. The CO2 emission was estimated using the method based on depth of ground water-table. From the current study, it was found that maintaining high ground water-table was better for oil palm agronomics, while at the same time, it reduced the decomposition and mineralisation rates of peat, and hence prevented excessive CO2 emission.
ANALYSIS OF THE SEISMIC RESPONSE OF A DAMAGED MASONRY BELL TOWER

1 ENEA – C.R. Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, 00060 S.M. Galeria Roma, Italy Email: giovanni@amb3116.casaccia.enea.it 2 ENEA – C.R. Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, 00060 S.M. Galeria Roma, Italy Email: paolo.clemente@casaccia.enea.it 3 ENEA – C.R. Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, 00060 S.M. Galeria Roma, Italy Email: giacomo@amb3116.casaccia.enea.it ANALYSIS OF THE SEISMIC RESPONSE OF A DAMAGED MASONRY BELL TOWER
Does mindfulness intervention improve quality of life and depression symptoms in individuals with traumatic brain injury ?

This critical review examines the evidence of mindfulness-based intervention for individuals with traumatic brain injury and its effects on depression and quality of life. A literature search resulted in five relevant articles, including a randomized clinical trial, single group pre-post designs, and a mixed-methods study. The articles were evaluated on study design, methods, validity and importance for clinical practice. Overall, results suggest that mindfulness intervention may improve the quality of life and/or depression symptoms of individuals with traumatic brain injury, however the strength of the research is limited at this time. Recommendations for future research are discussed.