Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal high-density EEG study of looming in full-term and preterm infants

Electroencephalogram (EEG) was used on full-term and preterm infants at the age of 5 months and again at the age of 12 months to investigate brain electrical activity as a function of looming visual stimuli on a collision course. Analyses of visual evoked potential (VEP) were performed on EEG data recorded with a 128-channel sensor array. VEP results showed that prematurity affects the brain processing of looming visual stimuli under three different accelerations. Preterm infants at the age of 12 months respnded to the looming visual stimuli early in the looming sequence on average -1.12 s before virtual contact as compared to 12 month-old full term infants who responded on average -0.43 s before contact. In addition, full-term infants at the age of 12 months had switched to a strategy based on time, whereas preterm infants at the age of 12 months still appeared to be using a strategy based on visual angle. The results further showed that with growing age, both full-term abd preterm infants showed significantly shorter VEP durations for all three looming conditions compared to when they were 5 months old. However, full-term infants at the age of 12 months showed larger negative brain activity in the Pz electrode than at the age 5 months, but preterm infants did not show increased brain activity in the Pz electrode with age. Preterm infants showed poorer performance in looming visual stream which is specialized in processing visual motion. As the infants grow older they will face tasks with higher demands and complexity. The small deviations shown at an early age could possibly be a predictor of later visual processing disabilities.
Stress-related behaviour, bleed-out times and some meat quality parameters from sheep slaughtered at a commercial abattoir

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of breed, gender and age on Stress-related behaviour (AB) of sheep at slaughter, bleed-out times (BT) during exsanguination, and the quality of mutton. The behaviour of 90 castrates and 110 ewes of different age categories ( 12 months) was observed during three stages of slaughter, at a commercial abattoir. AB was not affected by breed, gender and age. BT was recorded as time intervals between the start of blood flow and the time the flow changed from a constant stream into drips. Ninety meat samples were obtained to measure meat colour, pH24, temperature24, cooking loss, and tenderness. Correlations between bleeding times and meat quality variables were also determined. Ewes had longer (68.5±1.48 s) bleed-out times than castrates (55.2±1.70s). Heavier sheep had longer bleeding times than the lighter ones (r=0.149). Cooking loss (CL) was higher in meat from older sheep and in meat from ewes than from younger sheep and castrates, respectively. Meat from the Dorper breed had the highest CL (39.6±1.38 %) and the lowest Warner Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF) (14.3±3.66 N). Meat from the Merino breed had the highest WBSF (33.9±3.24 N). pH24 was positively correlated to a* and b* colour ordinates. It can therefore be concluded that breed, gender and age had no effect on AB, while these factors affected some quality variables of mutton. Only gender had an effect on bleed-out times. Bleed-out times correlate with animal weight but poorly with the meat quality
Household Responses to Livelihood Transformation in Peri-Urban Kumasi

This study examines household responses to livelihood transformation in the Kumasi peri-urban area. The main tools used in the data collection are household survey, key informants interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data are presented using tables, graphs and charts while direct quotations from respondents are used to present qualitative data. The study identifies both farm and non-farming livelihood strategies as the main livelihood strategies households adopt in the study communities. The study shows that most households rarely depend on one strategy to survive. However, non-farming households have more diversified livelihood strategies than farming households. The social network support base is also identified to play a very important role in the livelihood of respondents. Since farming still remains a very important component of livelihood strategies in the communities, some form of sanity needs to be injected in the land market. The study thus recommends a speed up work on the urban policy while the land policy needs to be fully implemented. The Land Administration Project must also be fast-tracked to bring harmony in the land market. Moreover, interventions to provide alternative means of livelihood to farmers who have lost their farm lands due to urbanisation can be made. Building the capacity of the peri-urban poor through skills training and access to credit and infrastructure facilities is a viable option. This will ensure a proper integration of peri-urban dwellers into urban monetary economy.
The Size Distribution of US Banks and Credit Unions

Abstract This study examines the firm size distribution of US banks and credit unions. A truncated lognormal distribution describes the size distribution, measured using assets data, of a large population of small, community-based commercial banks. The size distribution of a smaller but increasingly dominant cohort of large banks, which operate a high-volume low-cost retail banking model, exhibits power-law behaviour. There is a progressive increase in skewness over time, and Zipf’s Law is rejected as a descriptor of the size distribution in the upper tail. By contrast, the asset size distribution of the population of credit unions conforms closely to the lognormal distribution.
Fuzzy DSVM strategy in the direct torque control of an induction motor

Some problems such as large torque ripples,current distortion,flux depression and unstable switching frequency exist in the conventional direct torque control of induction motor in low speed range.Based on the technology of discrete space vector modulation(DSVM) and fuzzy control,this paper proposes a control strategy to improve the performance of low-speed,DSVM synthesis technology is used to produce 19 types of vector voltage,which makes the number of low-speed zones vector voltage increase and gains accuracy of torque control regulator,and the fuzzy logic controller is used to select the voltage vector to inhibit torque ripple.Simulation results prove that the large torque ripple,current distortion,flux depression have been overcome remarkably under the condition of maintaining the switching frequency constant by the application of the improved DSVM-DTC and the fuzzy DSVM-DTC strategy.The low speed performance of direct torque control has been improved effectively.
Executive Summary On Classification of All-rounders of the Indian Premier League (IPL):

An all-rounder can take an imperative role in any version of the game of cricket, whether it is a test match or any other limited-over format of the game. The study classifies the performance of all-rounders who participated in IPL based on their strike rate and economy rate. Based on the factors mentioned, the all-rounders can be divided into four non-overlapping classes, viz., Performer, Batting All-rounder, Bowling All-rounder, and Under-performer. Several predictor variables that are supposed to influence the performance of all-rounders are considered. Step-wise multinomial logistic regression (SMLR) is used to identify the significant predictors. Samples of six incumbent all-rounders who had not participated in the first three seasons of IPL are considered. The significant predictors were then used to predict the expected class of an incumbent all-rounder using naive Bayesian classification model. The relevant data were collected from the websites, www.cricinfo. org and www.cricketnirvana. com. The key points of this study are as follows: • The training sample is populated with 35 all-rounders who had performed in the first three seasons of IPL. • Two variables, viz., strike rate (number of runs scored per 100 balls faced) and economy rate (average number of runs scored per over against the bowler) are used to classify the all-rounders as follows: i) Performer: An all-rounder with strike rate above median and economy rate below median.
Ontology Generation of Advanced Persistent Threats and their Automated Analysis

Advance Persistent Threats (APTs) are a continuous hacking process during which the perpetrator changes signatures and uses different malware to launch an attack. For these reasons most of the time APTs remain undetected by the conventional IDSs. Ironically a large amount of data is available regarding APTs in literature and online repositories. However, due to high adaptivity and large volume of data, analyzing information about APT incidents is challenging for security analysts. Several security models have been proposed for analysis and understanding of the APTs. In this regard, two recent approaches: Cyber Kill Chain (CKC) and Pyramid of Pain (POP) are noteworthy. CKC is an attacker model while POP is a defender model. If these approaches are combined into a suitable defense framework, then these can be used as an early warning system against APTs. The contributions of this paper are two-fold. The first is development of CKC and POP’s standalone ontologies, identifying relationships between these and developing a common ontology of APTs. Secondly, we propose a novel framework “ A PTs A nalysis and C lassification S ystem – A2CS ” which uses semantic rules for automatic analysis of APTs such as identification of their missing artifacts and inferencing of the Tactics, Techniques and Procedures being employed.
A Bidirectional Pipeline for Semantic Interaction

Semantic interaction techniques in visual analytics tools allow analysts to indirectly adjust model parameters by directly manipulating the visual output of the models. Many existing tools that support semantic interaction do so with a number of similar features, including using a set of mathematical models that are composed within a pipeline, having a semantic interaction be interpreted by an inverse computation of one or more mathematical models, and using an underlying bidirectional structure within the pipeline. We propose a new visual analytics pipeline that captures these necessary features of semantic interactions. To demonstrate how this pipeline can be used, we represent existing visual analytics tools and their semantic interactions within this pipeline. We also explore a series of new visual analytics tools with semantic interaction to highlight how the new pipeline can represent new research as well.
Feeder Cattle Price Differentials in Arizona Auction Markets

This paper presents the results of an empirical study of price differentials for feeder cattle in Arizona auction markets. Emphasis is placed upon the estimation of price/ weight relationships for steers and heifers. - Estimation of a short-run feeder cattle price differential model resulted in an equation with a good empirical fit. The model also is in agreement with theoretical expectations. It is concluded that the model presented in the paper could be maintained and updated periodically to provide a useful supplement to market price information services commonly used by cattle producers. Price determination in feeder cattle markets is a complicated process. Conceivably, price premiums and discounts on the basis of factors such as weight and sex should reflect quality and thus also reflect differences in the relative supply and demand for the different weights and grades of cattle (Marsh). In a long-run equilibrium, price differences would reflect differences in the value (as determined by quality factors) of the various types of cattle. Buccola has determined that a mix of animal (e.g., weight, breed, sex, grade, and age) and market (e.g., lot size, market location, day of the week, auction sale order, and sale size) characteristics combine to determine feeder cattle price differentials. However, price/weight relationships are not static. Price differences between animal weights appear over time to display a dynamic adjustment process (Marsh, Schultz
P o S ( T A S I 2 0 1 7 ) 0 1 2 Entanglement in Field Theory and Holography

These lecture notes aim to provide an introduction to entanglement entropies in quantum field theories, including holographic ones. We explore basic properties and simple examples of entanglement entropies, mostly in two dimensions, with an emphasis on physical rather than formal aspects of the subject. In the holographic case, the focus is on how that physics is realized geometrically by the Ryu-Takayanagi formula. In order to make the notes somewhat self-contained for readers whose background is in high-energy theory, a brief introduction to the relevant aspects of quantum information theory is included.
Assessment of Emotional Intelligence Aspects in the Methods of P fi ster ’ s and Zulliger ’ s Fabiano

Emotional intelligence relates to the ability to adequately perceive and understand emotions and to manage them in an adaptive and constructive manner. Emotion regulation is part of the construct and is traditionally assessed by way of hypothetical stories, which are similar to self-reports. Although developed prior to the proposal of the emotional intelligence construct, projective techniques, which are considered performance instruments, also feature indicators of emotion regulation. The present study’s aim was to discover which variables in Pfi ster’s Color Pyramid Test would be associated with an indicator of cognitive emotion regulation in the Zulliger Inkblot Test. Ninety-eight people participated in the survey, 57.1% of which were women. Linear regression analysis showed that the frequencies of Pure Carpet and Bored Carpet (both negative) in the Pfi ster test were predictors of the Zulliger emotionregulation formula. It is believed that aspects of emotional intelligence can also be found in projective techniques. The association between Pfi ster’s and Zulliger’s variables is discussed as an indicator of psychological health.
Probability Distributions for the Mean and Variance Using Maximum Entropy and Bayesian Analysis

Estimation of moments such as the mean and variance of populations is generally carried out through sample estimates. Given normality of the parent population, the distribution of sample mean and sample variance is straightforward. However, when normality cannot be assumed, inference is usually based on approximations through the use of the Central Limit theorem. Furthermore, the data generated from many real populations may be naturally bounded; i.e., weights, heights, etc. Thus, a normal population, with its infinite bounds, may not be appropriate, and the distribution of sample mean and variance is not obvious. Using Bayesian analysis and maximum entropy, procedures are developed which produce distributions for the sample mean and combined mean and standard deviation. These methods require no assumptions on the form of the parent distribution or the size of the sample and inherently make use of existing bounds.
CONTRIBUTIONS ON REAL OPTIONS AGENCY THEORY por

Real options literature commonly assumes that, either the investment opportunity is directly managed by the owners, or the managers are perfectly aligned with them. However, agency conflicts occur and managers reveal interests not totally in line with those of the shareholders. This may have a major impact on the value maximizing decisions, namely, on the optimal timing to invest. This dissertation contributes to the literature that accounts for agency problems on the exercise of real options. The present dissertation provides a framework for both exclusive and non-exclusive investment opportunity, which comprises the problematic of agency issue, specifically, when the shareholders of a firm need to hire a manager to supervise the investment option and to take the adequate decision. Using a proper contract design, the model can easily encompass agency issues, creating the conditions to interest alignment, through the definition of an optimal contract mix. In both the cases of monopolistic and duopolistic models, shareholders need not to follow the future evolution of project value drivers in order to guarantee optimal behavior. Therefore, an adequate compensation scheme that correctly embodies the relative opportunity cost of manager and shareholders provides the necessary ex-ante incentive that ensures interest alignment. It is also shown that even small deviations from the optimal compensation scheme may lead to highly sub-optimal decisions. Furthermore, the model is applied using a numerical example and, in the monopolistic investment option, special situations are analyzed, namely considering the presence of impatient managers, non-proprietary/hidden competition real options, and also by considering the existence of effort costs for the manager.
Caring for mental health care users with profound intellectual disabilities: Approaches and opportunities

Mental health care users with profound intellectual disabilities are among the most disadvantaged groups in society. They experience numerous challenges which include limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour. These limitations present challenges in their care especially in cases where caregivers are not well prepared to cater for these special needs The purpose of this study was to provide an insight into the experiences of student nurses on the approaches and opportunities related to the care of mental health care users with profound intellectual disabilities. A qualitative, descriptive, interpretive, exploratory and contextual research was used to ascertain opportunities and approaches in caring for mental health care users with profound intellectual disabilities. Audio-taped interviews were conducted with 12 student nurses in their fourth and final year of study who were assigned to the care centre catering for people with profound intellectual disabilities. Thematic analysis as proposed by Burnard (1991) was used to analyse the collected qualitative data. Three approaches to care emerged as promotion of health and wellbeing, training on communication skills and support for their dignity. One main opportunity to emerge was being caring and this was embedded on the principle of caring which defines a nurse. Caring for care users with profound intellectual disabilities can be emotionally challenging. However, this study identified approaches and opportunities which when explored can assist the nurses to render quality patient care for these patients.
Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency, Metabolic Syndrome and Association Between the Two in a South Asian Population

Background: The etiological role of vitamin D in the metabolic syndrome among Asian Indians with good exposure to sunlight is not well understood. The objective of this was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and vitamin D deficiency and to determine the association between vitamin D status and metabolic syndrome in an Asian Indian population from Hyderabad, India.Methods: 299 normal individuals were randomly selected, for this cross sectional study, from individuals who voluntarily participated in a health camp. Anthropometric measures were taken along with 25-hydroxyvitamin D, fasting blood glucose, complete lipid profiles were also assessed. Socio-demographic data such as sex, age, smoking status, physical activity and diet were also collected. Data was analyzed using t-tests and chi-square test of association.Results: 81.6% had 25 (OH) D deficiencies, 13.4% had insufficiency and 44% had metabolic syndrome. Females had lower levels of mean 25 (OH)D 18.33 ± 12.9 nmol/l as compared to males. 34.4% had 25 (OH)D deficiency as well as metabolic syndrome. A significant (p=0.02) association was observed between serum 25(OH)D and metabolic syndrome. Participants with 25(OH)D insufficiency had 4.6 (p-value=0.023) times higher odds of metabolic syndrome versus those with 25(OH)D >100 nmol/l, whereas those with deficiency had approximately 2 times higher odds.Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency has become a pervasive problem with implications for cardiovascular health across age and gender groups. Our research indicates that women are at a higher risk of having metabolic syndrome than men if they have deficiency or insufficiency of vitamin D. Timely translational research needs to develop the appropriate interventions to stem this.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS AND POVERTY

The problem addressed in this paper is the linkage between poverty and invasive alien species (IAS) – the introduction, establishment and spread of species outside of their original range. There are two main dimensions to the problem. One is the connection between poverty and the likelihood of the introduction, establishment or spread of invasive species. It includes the relation between poverty and strategies for the management of invasive species, investment in invasive species detection and control, and collaboration in international control measures. The second is the connection between poverty and the costs or benefits of invasions. This includes the links between invasive species, the structure of the economy, and poverty. It covers the relation between poverty and dependence on agriculture, wildlife utilisation, forestry and fisheries, and the importance of the common property.
Study on Reconstruction of Relay Protection System for Smart Grid

The development of modern smart grid requires much more flexibility and reliability of relay protection system.Problems existing in present relay protection system structure are analyzed combining with the characteristics of smart grid,and the suggestion that making relay protection reconfigurable in future smart grid is proposed.In addition,analysis of the demand of relay protection system on-line reconstruction is carried out.The implication and criterion of relay protection reconstruction and the general model of implementing reconstruction are put forward.Examples of reconstruction are given and the problems to be studied in future are also pointed out.
Distributed Leadership and Empowerment Influence on Teachers Organizational Commitment

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of school distributed leadership (DL) on teachers’ organizational commitment (TC) and to investigate if teachers’ empowerment (TE) mediates the relationship between distributed leadership and teachers’ organizational commitment. The study distributed 750 questionnaires to the sampled respondents out of which 550 or 73% were returned. However, after excluding questionnaires with serious missing information 499 usable returned questionnaires were used for this study. The study used SPSS and AMOS (versions 16.0) to analyze the data collected. The findings indicate that school distributed leadership has considerable effect on teachers’ organizational commitment (standardized coefficient .39). The study also proved that teacher empowerment considerably mediates the relationship between distributed leadership and teachers’ commitment (standardized coefficient .26). As for the implications, the findings of this study bring to the fore the need for head teachers, zonal directors and other stakeholders to find more means of distributing leadership in secondary schools in order to enhance teachers’ commitment and empowerment. The study is one of the few studies conducted to investigate the influence and the relationship of distributed leadership on teachers’ organizational commitment and the mediating role of teachers’ empowerment on distributed leadership and teachers’ commitment, in Katsina state in particular and Nigeria in general. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v4n1s1p73