Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Temporal Relation Classication by Features Extracted from a Syntactic Parser

Temporal relation classification [1] refers to the task of identifying temporal relationship between a pair of events. It is one of the keys to deep language understanding and could help advance other NLP applications such as textual entailment, document summarization, and question answering. Previous research on temporal relations used hand-coded rules. With the emerging of the annotated corpora, the Timebank corpus, machine learning approaches with different sets of features have been proposed. This paper introduces new types of features extracted from a syntactic parser for classifying temporal relations between events in newswire documents. We propose to use paths between event words in syntactic trees and path lengths as features for temporal relation classification. We first describe temporal relations and the corpora in Section 2. Section 3 describes briefly the related work. The features used for classification are presented in Section 4. Then, the evaluation and results are followed in Section 5. Lastly, we give the discussion and conclusion in Section 6 and 7.
Concordances and high frequency words in English for specific purposes classroom

Vocabulary acquisition in English language class is based not only on the number of words students remember but on the ability to use them in production of statements. This ability can be developed by introduction of word collocations in the classroom. Here, studying frequent terms and academic words collocations used in Microelectronics and Microelectronics application in agriculture, we demonstrate that in case of English for Specific Purposes this task is much harder, as different scientific and occupational areas can produce uncommon for everyday English collocations and new variety of word patterns. The research is based on papers from scientific journals and books dealing with the fast developing branch of semiconductors, semiconducting materials and their practical use in fabrication of microelectronic devices. The list of highlighted frequent collocations was used to develop texts and corresponding to them tasks including gap filling, word matching. The next step was to prepare texts, in which students could find collocations and form the list of collocations with high frequency academic words on their own as self-study. The presented here approach aims at the formation of lexical competence based on the academic word and term acquisition and their adequate to native speakers use within the occupational areas.
Implementation of Music Therapy at a Norwegian Children’s Hospital: A Focused Ethnographic Study

The profession of music therapy is experiencing a period of expansion in Norway, with the establishment of new positions occurring in a variety of health contexts. One area that is poised for continued growth is music therapy within medical contexts, and in paediatric hospitals, in particular. There are various ways in which new music therapy positions are developed within paediatric hospitals, and studying these implementation processes can provide valuable insight. In this study, we use a focused ethnographic approach to explore how different members of the interdisciplinary team experience the implementation of music therapy in a children’s hospital, including the present and the former music therapist. We consider how the music therapist has positioned herself within the established hierarchy, what leadership and other healthcare personnel have done for/against this new profession, and which elements have helped or hindered the process of implementation. Data collection and analysis consisted of reflecting upon and analysing: 1) the first author’s participation in music therapy praxis on a paediatric medical unit, 2) fieldnotes from field observations within the children's hospital, and 3) semi-structured interviews with interdisciplinary staff. Main findings suggest that given support from leadership and a consultative/advisory workgroup, it was rather straightforward to start up a music therapy practice within this particular children's hospital, but it was more complicated to formally and informally fully integrate music therapy in the interdisciplinary team.
A vectorial total variation model for denoising high angular resolution diffusion images corrupted by Rician noise

The presence of noise in High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging (HARDI) data of the brain can limit the accuracy with which fiber pathways of the brain can be extracted. In this work, we present a variational model to denoise HARDI data corrupted by Rician noise. We formulate a minimization model composed of a data fidelity term incorporating the Rician noise assumption and a regularization term given by the vectorial total variation. Although the proposed minimization model is non-convex, we are able to establish existence of minimizers. Numerical experiments are performed on three types of data: 2D synthetic data, 3D diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DW-MRI) data of a hardware phantom containing synthetic fibers, and 3D real HARDI brain data. Experiments show that our model is effective for denoising HARDI-type data while preserving important aspects of the fiber pathways such as fractional anisotropy and the orientation distribution functions.
Broadband plasmonic couplers for light trapping and waveguiding

We have experimentally and theoretically demonstrated plasmonic couplers based on metal nanoparticles film (metal islands) deposited upon the optical dielectric waveguide. These nanoparticles forward scatter radiation into the optical waveguide that would otherwise be reflected and transmitted. Design, fabrication and optimisation of the plasmonic silver islands and tantalum pentoxide waveguide are reported. Broadband characteristics of light transmission showing plasmons excitation have been measured and in good agreement with simulated results from 400 nm to 800 nm. Coupling spectrum up to 15% is measured for the plasmonic coupler and in good agreement with the simulated results.
On the Bank Stocks Return and Volatility: Tale of a South Asian Economy

This paper examines Pakistani Banks stock return and volatility relationship with market, interest rate and foreign exchange rate. The study extensively applies different statistical approaches to model return and volatility relation. First, Ordinary Least Square (OLS) multiple regression model is applied for estimation of return relation. Further, Generalize Method of Movement (GMM) is applied to cater the endogeniety issue. Secondly, Due to presence of Conditional Heteroskedasticity, Weighted Least Square (WLS) and Generalize Auto Regression Conditional Heteroskedasticity - GARCH (1,1) estimation model is applied to estimate conditional return and volatility. Interest rate and foreign exchange rate have significant impact on unconditional and conditional bank stock returns under different model specifications. Market return is a determining factor in bank stock pricing. The results infer that bank volatility is significantly related with interest rate and foreign exchange rate risk. The volatility of bank stock returns is persistent with slower decay over time.
Some studies on characterization and modelling of stochastic processes in the multiscale framework

This thesis is an attempt to obtain a multiscale representation for stochastic processes. This thesis, besides obtaining the multiscale model, derives an alternative characterization for the filter bank. This alternative characterization is an illustrative representation of the transformations taking place in the signal as it propagates through the filter bank. The derivation of this characterization also leads to certain interesting relationships between the input and output correlations and spectrums of certain multirate filters (for WSCS inputs), which are elements of the filter bank. The thesis builds a framework for the proposed multiscale model, by obtaining an illustrative characterization of the filter bank. For this an alternative representation for wide sense cyclostationary (WSCS) processes is -obtained. This representation is important, as it is well known that the output of a filter bank, for a wide sense stationary (WSS) or a WSCS input, is WSCS. This alternative characterization of WSCS process is a time frequency representation of the WSCS process. The WSCS process, with period M, can be characterized using M distinct correlation sequences. The Fourier Transform of these correlation sequences gives M distinct spectrums, which can be used to represent the WSCS process, with period M. Using this alternative characterization of WSCS processes, we obtain the inputoutput relationships of certain multirate filters (for WSCS inputs). In particular those multirate filters that constitute the filter bank, have been discussed in detail. Once these relationships are available, an alternative characterization of the filter bank is obtained. This characterization explicitly brings out the transfonnations that take place in a signal as it propagates through a filter-bank. Relationships between the input and the output
Mergers and takeovers in Spain: empirical evidence on abnormal returns and insider trading

This paper aims to the measurement of returns on takeovers on firms listed in the Spanish stock market in the period 1990 to 1993. Using several estimation and testing methods, abnormal positive returns are found for the targets. Some evidence of insider trading is presented and itsi implications for market regulation are addressed.
Disturbance effects of high-speed ferries on wintering sea ducks

Human offshore activities are increasingly threatening waterbird conservation interests. The impacts of disturbance by high-speed ferries on Common Eiders Somateria mollissima and Common Scoters Melanitta nigra were studied at a wintering site in the Kattegat Sea, Denmark. Spatial patterns of winter site use, close-range distribution patterns relative to ferry passages and escape distances were examined using aerial surveys and ferry-based observations. For Common Eiders, there was a suggestion of major disturbance impacts, i.e. birds displacing in response to the passage of ferries, within 500–1,000 m of the ferry route: a considerable proportion of flocks (> 10%) located within 400 m took flight in response to a passing ferry, and distributional impacts, including birds responding by swimming, were occasionally suggested within a distance of 500–1,000 m. Although distributional impacts could not be demonstrated with statistical significance within the Hjelm area (partly because of an apparently limited food supply in the area around the ferry route), it is concluded that highspeed ferry disturbance, had the potential to reduce significantly habitat use within 500 m of the ferry route. Common Scoters tended to take flight further from the ferry route than Common Eiders, however, data were limited and no conclusions could be made on displacement distances or possible impacts on habitat use. The results show that high-speed ferries may be an important source of disturbance that should be given due attention when the cumulative effects of offshore activities on site use by sea ducks are considered.
Determination of the presence of buckwheat flour in bread by the analysis of minor fatty acid methyl esters

Five samples of bread were prepared by mixing wheat and buckwheat flour. The buckwheat flour content was raised from 0, 20, 40, 50 to 60%. Fatty acids were extracted with hexane from crusts and crumbs of bread, and afterwards derivatised with TMSH (trimethylsulfonium hydroxide in methanol) into corresponding methyl esters and subjected to the analysis on a GC-MS device. Only the areas of methyl esters of the minor fatty acids: eicosenoic (C20:1), eicosanoic (C20:0) and docosanoic (C22:0) acid, were integrated. Multivariate analysis was applied for data processing. The results show that it is possible to determine the presence of buckwheat flour in crusts and crumbs of bread, successfully avoiding the need for quantitative determinations.
Exploring Problem-Based Learning for Middle School Design and Engineering Education in Digital Fabrication Laboratories

This is a research study of design and engineering classes that use a problem-based learning (PBL) approach in digital fabrication makerspaces in two middle schools. In these studies, teachers employ a PBL approach and provide an ill-structured problem scenario to facilitate design and engineering lessons in the FabLab (fabrication laboratory). Students in each school tackled different challenges that they defined for themselves in groups. This study provides examples of student-student interactions separated into key themes—defining specifications with teammates, personal exploration, and communication about discoveries. This study also provides examples of teacher-student interactions, and themes include demonstrations with tangible objects, discussing prototype failure, and managing behavioral issues. The purpose of this study is to provide insights about PBL in a nontraditional, technology-rich FabLab environment.
OVERVIEW OF EMERGING BAYESIAN APPROACH TO NONLINEAR SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION

Over the last twenty years, nonlinear system identiflcation has gained signiflcant interest due to the increasing demand of high performance control. Nonlinear system identiflcation is challenging owing to its complexity, unpre- dictability, and dimension curse. The literature has mainly focused on two classes of modeling. One is the most studied black-box modeling that is completely data based. Another important class of system identiflcation is grey-box modeling, i.e. certain model structure of the underlying system is known, but parameters and state variables are unknown. The general Bayesian approach to nonlinear system identiflcation targets not only the black-box problem but also the grey- box problem. The Bayesian inference idea is certainly not new but its usefulness has not been proven in nonlinear system identiflcation until recent years owing to the increasing capacity of computation power. This paper gives an overview of its most signiflcant development in recent years, namely the unscented Kalman fllter (UKF) for sequential inference of parameters/state. The UKF can be used for on- line as well as ofi-line applications. The general solution to the sequential Bayesian inference problem is flrst reviewed, and the paper will then focus on the unscented Kalman fllter as a representative of the emerging Bayesian flltering approach to system identiflcation. We endeavor to explain mathematical concepts in a simple language and provide a tutorial on some key results. Several engineering examples are presented to illustrate the new developments and their utilities.
Trend Visualization on Twitter: What's Hot and What's Not?

Twitter is a social networking service in which users can create short messages related to a wide variety of subjects. Certain subjects are highlighted by Twitter as the most popular subjects and are known as trending topics. In this paper, we study the visual representation of these trending topics to maximize the information toward the users in the most effective way. For this purpose, we present a new visual representation of the trending topics based on dynamic squarified treemaps. In order to use this visual representation, one needs to determine (preferably forecast) the speed at which tweets on a particular subject are posted and one needs to detect acceleration. Moreover, one needs efficient ways to relate topics to each other when necessary, so that clusters of related trending topics are formed to be more informative about a particular subject. We will outline the methodologies for determining the speed and acceleration, and for clustering. We show that the visualization using dynamic squarified treemaps has many benefits over other visualization techniques. Keywords-microblogging; Twitter; trend detection; clustering; visualization; dynamic squarified treemaps.
Molecular diagnosis of Prader-Willi Syndrome and relative study

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is associated with distinct phenotypes which include mental retardation and caused by loss of function of genes, located in chromosome 15q11-q13, an area subjected to genomic imprinting. Methylationspecific polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) based on parents of origin specific DNA methylation at the promoter region of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N gene (SNRPN) can provide accurate and rapid diagnosis for nearly all PWS patients. We report on the development of a referral system for molecular diagnosis of PWS based on M-PCR. Pediatric geneticists, psychiatrists or neurologists were asked to evaluate phenotypes of patients with PWS and complete a questionnaire designed according to the consensus criteria to diagnose these conditions. Molecular analysis based on M-PCR was performed for patients with a score of at least two. A total of 200 patients with suspected PWS were referred for diagnostic testing. PWS was diagnosed in 30 of these patients. M-PCR is a cost-effective method for the diagnosis of PWS.
Was The Gold Standard Really Destabilizing

SUMMARY This paper investigates the extent to which the high macroeconomic volatility experienced in the classical Gold Standard era of US history can be attributed to the monetary policy regime per se as distinct from other shocks. For this purpose, we estimate a small dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model for the classical Gold Standard era. We use this model to conduct a counterfactual experiment to assess whether a monetary policy conducted on the basis of a Taylor rule characterizing the Great Moderation data would have led to different outcomes for macroeconomic volatility and welfare in the Gold Standard era. The counterfactual Taylor rule significantly reduces inflation volatility, but at the cost of higher real-money and interest-rate volatility. Output volatility is very similar. The end result is no welfare improvement. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards the origin of the radio emission in AR Scorpii, the first radio-pulsing white dwarf binary

Context. The binary system AR Sco contains an M star and the only known radio-pulsing white dwarf. The system shows emission from radio to X-rays, likely dominated by synchrotron radiation. The mechanism that produces most of this emission remains unclear. Two competing scenarios have been proposed: collimated outflows, and direct interaction between the magnetospheres of the white dwarf and the M star.Aims. The two proposed scenarios can be tested via very long baseline interferometric radio observations.Methods. We conducted a radio observation with the Australian Long Baseline Array (LBA) on 20 Oct. 2016 at 8.5 GHz to study the compactness of the radio emission. Simultaneous data with the Australian Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) were also recorded for a direct comparison of the obtained flux densities.Results. AR Sco shows radio emission compact on milliarcsecond angular scales (≲0.02 AU, or 4 R ⊙ ). The emission is orbitally modulated, with an average flux density of ≈6.5 mJy. A comparison with the simultaneous ATCA data shows that no flux is resolved out on mas scales, implying that the radio emission is produced in this compact region. Additionally, the obtained radio light curves on hour timescales are consistent with the optical light curve.Conclusions. The radio emission in AR Sco is likely produced in the magnetosphere of the M star or the white dwarf, and we see no evidence for a radio outflow or collimated jets significantly contributing to the radio emission.
Evidence of connectivity between continental and differentiated insular populations in a highly mobile species

Aim Genetically differentiated insular populations are candidates for independent units for conservation. However, occasional immigration to reduced island populations may occur and potentially have important consequences in their future viability and evolutionary potential. In this study, we investigate the conservation implications of population structure and connectivity of insular and continental populations of a migratory raptor as determined using genetic tools and satellite tracking.
INVESTIGATION OF THE USE OF GENERATING SETS AS ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF POWER SUPPLY IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

Epileptic power supply by the service provider has been a major bottleneck in the bid of residential building occupants to use their electrical appliances indoor for comfort drive. Thus, this study is aimed at investigating and analysing usage of generating sets by the building occupants in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. Data were collected by administering questionnaires on the respondents. The 59 political wards in the 5 local government areas of Ibadan Metropolis were stratified into core, transition and suburban residential zones. Twenty five (25) per cent of the wards indicating 15 wards were selected across the three zones. By using systematic sampling technique, 2% of the residential buildings totaling 736 buildings were sampled across the zones. The study revealed that the average duration of power supply that was incidental to dependence on generating sets in residential buildings in the core, transition and suburban zone was 4.37, 5.31 and 7.63hrs respectively. Also, 45.82% of the respondents had used their generating sets for 3 years; 93.78% largely depended on petrol engine generators; and 71.43% of the respondents could not use their generating sets to power all their electrical appliances at a moment when compared with the normal voltage of power from the service provider (IBEDC). The study concluded that the type of generating used depended on the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and recommended that government should ensure sincere deregulation of power sector and seek for more environmentally energy sources.
Leveraged Bootstrap Test of Volatility: A Novel Approach to the Energy Consumption and Economic Growth Puzzle

The main purpose of this research is to examine the causal relationship between the Energy industry and nine other industries by use of volatility instead of returns. Existing literatures find a causal relationship by use of stock returns, however, we find that using volatility reveals a causal relationship that might not otherwise be revealed through returns alone. Since the existing literature shows that volatility of stock prices is informative, we apply a Granger causality test by use of a leveraged bootstrap test developed by Hacker and Hatemi (2006) to investigate the causal behavior of the volatility. Our results show that volatility of the Energy industry causes volatility in two other industries- Industrials and Health Care. Also, the Energy industry market is affected by the Materials, Consumer Staples and Utilities industries. This finding is substantially different from the findings of previous research, and provides a novel approach to analyzing and solving the energy consumption and economic growth puzzle.