Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Focused model selection for linear mixed models with an application to whale ecology

A central point of disagreement, in certain long-standing discussions about a particular whaling dataset in the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, has directly involved model selection issues for linear mixed effect models. The biological question under discussion is associated with a clearly defined parameter of primary interest, i.e. a focus parameter, which makes model selection with the Focused Information Criterion (FIC) more appropriate than other selection methods. Since the existing FIC methodology has not covered the case of linear mixed effects models, this article sets up the required framework and develops the necessary formulae for the relevant FIC. Our new criterion requires the asymptotic distribution of estimators derived for a given candidate linear mixed model, but with behaviour examined under a wider linear mixed model. These results, needed here to build our FIC, also have independent interest.
For Review Only Response of growth , yield and quality of edible-podded snow peas to supplemental light-emitting diode lighting during winter greenhouse production

Journal: Canadian Journal of Plant Science Manuscript ID CJPS-2018-0288.R3 Manuscript Type: Article Date Submitted by the Author: 23-Apr-2019 Complete List of Authors: Kong, Yun; University of Guelph, School of Environmental Sciences Zheng, Youbin; University of Guelph, School of Environmental Sciences
Optimality-Based Non-Redfield Plankton-Ecosystem Model (OPEMv1.0) in the UVic-ESCM 2.9. Part II: Sensitivity Analysis and Model Calibration

We analyse 400 perturbed-parameter simulations for two configurations of an optimality-based plankton– ecosystem model (OPEM), implemented in the University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model (UVic-ESCM), using a Latin hypercube sampling method for setting up the parameter ensemble. A likelihood-based metric is introduced for model assessment and selection of the model solutions closest to observed distributions of NO−3 , PO 3− 4 , O2, and surface chlorophyll a concentrations. The simulations closest to the data with respect to our metric exhibit very low rates of global N2 fixation and denitrification, indicating that in order to achieve rates consistent with independent estimates, additional constraints have to be applied in the calibration process. For identifying the reference parameter sets, we therefore also consider the model’s ability to represent current estimates of water-column denitrification. We employ our ensemble of model solutions in a sensitivity analysis to gain insights into the importance and role of individual model parameters as well as correlations between various biogeochemical processes and tracers, such as POC export and the NO−3 inventory. Global O2 varies by a factor of 2 and NO − 3 by more than a factor of 6 among all simulations. Remineralisation rate is the most important parameter for O2, which is also affected by the subsistence N quota of ordinary phytoplankton (Q0,phy) and zooplankton maximum specific ingestion rate. Q0,phy is revealed as a major determinant of the oceanic NO−3 pool. This indicates that unravelling the driving forces of variations in phytoplankton physiology and elemental stoichiometry, which are tightly linked via Q0,phy, is a prerequisite for understanding the marine nitrogen inventory.
Enabling the diffusion of sustainable product innovations in BIM library platforms

Building Information Modelling (BIM) objects represent buildingproducts in design, simulation, and procurement processes. This paper explores how BIM objects could be created and exchanged to enable the diffusion of innovative products with enhanced sustainability performance. Two BIM library platforms were examined by taking a new approach that integrates the concepts of sustainable value, diffusion of innovations, information, software usability, and platform ecosystems. The findings show that the diffusion of sustainable products can be inhibited due to problems with the mechanisms for creating and exchanging BIM objects, quality of BIM objects, the usability of BIM library platforms, and participation on the platforms. This study deepens understanding of the problems by focusing on ventilation products in Sweden. Identified shortcomings in the current practices of BIM platform owners and participants would be reduced by effective platform strategies, certification schemes for BIM objects, and BIM object creation processes integrated with product lifecycle management.
From Shared electric Mobility Providers (SeMPs) to electric Mobility as a Service (eMaaS) players: A first approach to assess the Technical Level of Integration of Mobility Service Providers’ functionalities applied to the European (e)MaaS market

In this paper we present an approach to evaluate to what extent Mobility Service Providers (MSPs) can be considered (e)MaaS players. Following that approach, we conduct an analysis of 128 MSPs, specifically Shared electric Mobility Providers (SeMPs), currently operating in the European market. The goal of the analysis is twofold. Firstly, it aims at demonstrating the applicability of the proposed approach. Secondly, it aims at offering an overview of the current state of the market concerning the Technical Level of Inte- gration (TLI) of European SeMPs. Our results show that, on the one hand, most of the SeMPs currently operating in Europe have a medium to high TLI. However, those levels are mostly not applicable for multi- modal (i.e. for multiple modes of transport or multiple MSPs) interfaces but for single-mode interfaces. On the other hand, our results also show that there are already some SeMPs in the current European market that have fully integrated functionalities, in that case, SeMPs mostly have multimodal interfaces. Based on the analysis and discussion presented in this paper, we concluded that the TLI approach offers an effective technique to determine, and easily visualize, the level of integration of the technical functionalities of MSPs.
The Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Dysarthria in Stroke Patients

Objective: To investigate whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve dysarthria in stroke patients. Method: Twelve patients who developed dysarthria after acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction were included in this study. In a prospective, double blinded, randomized case control study performed between January 2007 and December 2008, six patients were randomized to anodal tDCS application and conventional speech therapy, and six patients were randomized to the sham group which received only conventional speech therapy. tDCS was delivered for 30 minutes at 2 mA with 25cm2, five times/week, for a total two weeks. The effects were assessed in maximal phonation time (MPT), alternative motion rates (AMR)-Pa, AMR-Ta, AMR-Ka, and sequential motion rates (SMR)-PaTaKa using the Multi-Media Dimension Voice Program. Results: Pre-treatment patient evaluation showed no significant difference between the two groups for all parameters. The MPT, AMR-Pa, AMR-Ta, AMR-Ka, and SMR-PaTaKa were improved pre- and post-treatment in the stimulation group, while MPT, SMR-PaTaKa were improved in the sham group (p
Association between locomotive syndrome and the Japanese version of the EQ-5D-5L in middle-aged and elderly people in Japan

ABSTRACT The Japanese version of the EuroQol 5 dimension, 5 level version (EQ-5D-5L) can now be used to quantitatively evaluate the health-related quality of life (QoL) in Japan. Locomotive syndrome (LS) is a concept advocated in Japan to describe a condition requiring care for musculoskeletal disorders. However, no detailed study on the relationship between this index and LS in Japanese health checkup has been reported. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the Japanese version of the EQ-5D-5L and LS. We enrolled 477 participants who were undergoing health checkups in Japan. All participants were administered the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Functional Scale for the diagnosis of LS and the Japanese version of the EQ-5D-5L. We performed statistical analysis to compare the non-LS and LS patients; moreover, the risk factors and cut-off values were calculated and verified. The Japanese version of the EQ-5D-5L index was significantly lower in patients with LS than in non-LS patients and was significantly related to LS in logistic regression analysis. In subgroup analysis targeting the five dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L, it was seen that mobility, pain/discomfort, and self-care were significantly involved in LS. The cut-off value of the EQ-5D-5L index for LS was 0.875. The Japanese version of the EQ-5D-5L index was significantly related to LS in Japan. This index will be a useful tool that can easily measure health-related quality of life in middle-aged and elderly Japanese people. Future studies should investigate the relationship of not only LS but also various diseases with the Japanese version of the EuroQol 5 dimension, 5 level version.
Dynamics in a Discrete-Time Three Dimensional Cancer System

We investigate the dynamics in a discrete-time cancer system. Firstly, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence and stability of the fixed points. Secondly, we demonstrate that the system is chaotic in the sense of marotto when the parameters of this system satisfy some conditions. And third, we present numerical simulations not only to show the consistency with our theoretical analysis but also to exhibit the complex but interesting dynamical systems. Numerical simulations included bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponents, Lyapunov dimension and attractor strange.
First evidence of macroscale single crystal ion exchange found in lead halide perovskites

Funding information Israel science foundation grant number 937/18; National Science Centre of Poland, Grant/Award Number: 2016/23/B/ ST8/03480 Abstract Ion exchange is classified as a reaction that may be performed among nanocrystals. Here, we discovered that methylammonium lead bromide macroscale perovskites' single crystals may exchange ions with the environment while maintaining their original morphology. Iodide replaced bromide and was detected even in the very center of a previously pure macroscale MAPbBr3 single crystal. Additionally, the entrance of chloride into the crystal is energetically favorable and most bromides were exchanged, yet kinetic factors hindered Cs entry and Pb by Sn substitution. Furthermore, grinding different single crystals together revealed swift I/Br exchange. Clear differences in comparison with nanomaterials, along with density functional theory calculations, shed light on the nature of ion-exchange reactions in perovskites' single crystals. This work provides first evidence of these halide exchange reactions in macroscale perovskite single crystals. These results offer a new perspective on ion-exchange reaction and pave a path toward synthesis of inhomogeneous single crystals.
Micro-Flip Teaching with e-learning Resources in Aerospace Engineering Mathematics: a Case Study

— In this study, a type of e-learning resource (called polimedias) have been used to cover the main ideas of numerical and functional series and as an important part of a micro flip-teaching methodology in the subject of Mathematics I of the Aerospace Engineering degree. Using this methodology in the ARA group has led to an improvement in the grades and in the understanding of the subject. Students have shown a very positive opinion of the different steps in the micro flip-teaching methodology. The elaboration and usage of polimedias have been proven to be a very flexible tool that adapts perfectly to the new teaching methodology. These results favor extending this methodology to more items of the subject with the objective of a gradual adaptation to a whole FT methodology.
Excellence in Women Basketball: Sport Career Development of World Champions and Olympic Medalists Brazilian Athletes

This study investigated the career of seven Brazilian athletes who hold the title of world champions and Olympic medalists in basketball. The aim was to identify individual´s multiple factors that influenced them to reach the excellence level throughout their sport career. The data was collected through semi-structured retrospective interviews and was analysed using Thematic Analysis, having the Personal Assets Framework as the main supporting theory. The results suggest that autonomous and diversified practice was essential for players’ development on the early years of their sport careers, as well as financial support on the specializing years. During the investment and maintenance years, intrapersonal skills have become more important, training time has increased and there was a disregard with social living; historically significant achievements and financial recognition provided a sense of reward and worth.
Time-travel Testing of Android Apps

Android testing tools generate sequences of input events to exercise the state space of the app-under-test. Existing search-based techniques systematically evolve a population of event sequences so as to achieve certain objectives such as maximal code coverage. The hope is that the mutation of fit event sequences leads to the generation of even fitter sequences. However, the evolution of event sequences may be ineffective. Our key insight is that pertinent app states which contributed to the original sequence's fitness may not be reached by a mutated event sequence. The original path through the state space is truncated at the point of mutation. In this paper, we propose instead to evolve a population of states which can be captured upon discovery and resumed when needed. The hope is that generating events on a fit program state leads to the transition to even fitter states. For instance, we can quickly deprioritize testing the main screen state which is visited by most event sequences, and instead focus our limited resources on testing more interesting states that are otherwise difficult to reach. We call our approach time-travel testing because of this ability to travel back to any state that has been observed in the past. We implemented time-travel testing into TimeMachine, a time-travel enabled version of the successful, automated Android testing tool Monkey. In our experiments on a large number of open- and closed source Android apps, TimeMachine outperforms the state-of-the-art search-based/model-based Android testing tools Sapienz and Stoat, both in terms of coverage achieved and crashes found. We call our approach time-travel testing because of this ability to travel back to any state that has been observed in the past. We implemented time-travel testing into TimeMachine, a time-travel enabled version of the successful, automated Android testing tool Monkey. In our experiments on a large number of open- and closed source Android apps, TimeMachine outperforms the state-of-the-art search-based/model-based Android testing tools Sapienz and Stoat, both in terms of coverage achieved and crashes found.
A Novel Particle Swarm Optimization with Improved Learning Strategies and Its Application to Vehicle Path Planning

In order to balance the exploration and exploitation capabilities of the PSO algorithm to enhance its robustness, this paper presents a novel particle swarm optimization with improved learning strategies (ILSPSO). Firstly, the proposed ILSPSO algorithm uses a self-learning strategy, whereby each particle stochastically learns from any better particles in the current personal history best position (pbest), and the self-learning strategy is adjusted by an empirical formula which expresses the relation between the learning probability and evolution iteration number. The cognitive learning part is improved by the self-learning strategy, and the optimal individual is reserved to ensure the convergence speed. Meanwhile, based on the multilearning strategy, the global best position (gbest) of particles is replaced with randomly chosen from the top k of gbest and further improve the population diversity to prevent premature convergence. This strategy improves the social learning part and enhances the global exploration capability of the proposed ILSPSO algorithm. Then, the performance of the ILSPSO algorithm is compared with five representative PSO variants in the experiments. The test results on benchmark functions demonstrate that the proposed ILSPSO algorithm achieves significantly better overall performance and outperforms other tested PSO variants. Finally, the ILSPSO algorithm shows satisfactory performance in vehicle path planning and has a good result on the planned path.
The effect of altitude and progressive exercise activity on the profile of testosterone changes and Some of immunity markers in active student basketball team

Purpose: Training activities and altitude cause some of changes in the physiological adaptations and also athletic functionality. The purpose of this study was the effect of altitude and progressive exercise activity on the profile of testosterone changes and Some of immunity markers in active student basketball team. Material: As to subjects this survey, 36 active male students with an average age of (19.5± 0.83) were selected from 36 athletes with a maximum rate of oxygen uptake of about (VO2max=58.66± 2.9). The subjects, who were tested in the sea level f and post IAE (8 of periodical ascending to the height of 2800 meters for 3 days), were then asked on cycle ergometer (starting with 100 watts, increasing 25 watts every 3 minutes, with the work-torest ratio of 3 to 1) to exhaustion. The initial blood sampling of the subjects was done 72 hours before the main test to determine the similar conditions of the subjects, and to measure the initial level of Testosterone hormone, lymphocytes and neutrophiles, in the sea level. Also, the blood sampling of both after and before the progressive exercise activity and the IAE stage were done. The serumal concentration of testosterone was measured via Elisa method and the amounts of lymphocytes and neutrophiles were determined using CellCounter set. For statistical analysis, using the tests of Kolmogorov and Smirnov, repeated measurements were done in the level of (p≤0.05). The complete process of analyzing the result was done through the software
Efficient Scheme for Classifying Grass Genomes

-Classifying genome sequence data for predicting homology and properties of genome sequences is a challenging task due to its large size. Clustering genome data sequences reduces data size and simplifies the classification process by reducing training time. Classification of grass genome sequences, the largest genomes dataset available in the public domain, is best suited for developing strategy for innovative prediction of structure and function of DNA sequences. Clustering techniques are used to generate an efficient set of prototypes to decrease the classification time without compromising on Classification Accuracy (CA). This study describes the use of data mining algorithms with multiple distance measures – (1) Leader algorithm using Euclidean distance to generate non-overlap motifs with local alignment as the features of the genome sequences, (2) Hamming Distance Classifier (HDC) and Nearest Neighbor Classifier (NNC) algorithm to generate a set of prototypes to increase the CA. We have observed that the Nearest Neighbor Classifier modified with hamming distance increases the CA and reduces the classification time. The clusters generated using the HDC with the Minimum Distance Classifier (MDC) was found to optimize the requirements of computation time and space. Experimental data was further compared using Leader Based Nearest Neighbor Classifier (LBNNC) algorithm with global alignment technique. These results suggest that the Nearest Neighbor Classifier algorithm provides optimal CA in both training and test phases but takes longer duration. The best time complexity was achieved in MDC and LBNNC. Using HDC we achieved 83% in actual classification of the grass genome data.
Exploring the Factors Associated with the School Dropout

The aim of this study is to critically examine the sociodemographic and individual factors leading to school dropout. The study uses the Family Structure Survey (FSS) data collected in 2016 from 35.475 household members 15+ years old, by Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat). Appropriate variables, gender, marital status, age, work status, living away from mother, living away from father, and the residential area were chosen as the predictor variables of the odds of dropout behavior in any level of education for specific age groups. According to the binary logistic regression, being married, working in a job, living in a village or county and living away from father or in a separated family are the major sociodemographic problems leading dropout. Besides, economic issues and low achievement is the major reasons to dropout according to the participants’ views by descriptive statistical analyses. In this regard, taking comprehensive actions to minimize the effect of these factors with a broad cooperation and collaboration of the national, local and institutional authorities is suggested and the need for more studies specifically designed for rural and urban areas is emphasized.
STUDIES ON CORRELATIONS BETWEEN IMMUNOPHENOTYPE AND THE INDICES OF METABOLIC ENZYME ACTIVITY OF BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES IN CHILDREN WITH HYPERTROPHY OF THE PHARYNGEAL TONSILS

The objective of our study was to evaluate correlation between the immune pheno-type and activity indices of NAD (P)-dependent dehydrogenases in peripheral blood lymphocytes in young children with hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsil (HPT). We have examined 57 children, 1-3 years of age, with hypertrophy
Cultivation of Spirulina platensis using raw piggery wastewater for nutrient bioremediation and biomass production: effect of ferrous sulfate supplementation

In the present study, an integrated process of raw piggery wastewater treatment and Spirulina platensis biomass production was proposed and effect of ferrous sulfate supplementation on S. platensis growth and biochemical composition was primarily investigated. Results showed that supplementation of 0.05 g L–1 ferrous sulfate in the raw piggery wastewater could increase maximum biomass and chlorophylls production to 98.67 and 0.156 mg L–1 d–1, respectively, compared to 74.22 and 0.134 mg L–1 d–1, respectively, of the control. Moreover, protein, total carbohydrate, total lipids and iron content of the harvested biomass ranged from 45.31%–55.15%, 8.53%–12.32%, 10.22%– 11.49% and 1.31–2.03 mg g–1, respectively, indicating that ferrous sulfate supplementation is an effective approach to enhance S. platensis biomass productivity and increase iron content in S. platensis biomass, which facilitates to lower S. platensis biomass production cost and upgrade biomass value.
Resource Allocation Model Based on Interval for Wireless Network with Guaranteed QoS

—The resource allocation in WLAN network is of paramount importance especially when services are considered to achieve a guaranteed QoS. In this work a two steps algorithm is proposed to model adaptable resource allocation algorithm. Where subcarriers are allocated considering the channel quality and priority of multicast services, then, the power reallocation algorithm is carried out based on small intervals to enhance the system capacity while guaranteeing the whole multicast QoS.