Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Informing research priorities for immature sea turtles through expert elicitation

Although sea turtles have received substantial focus worldwide, research on the immature life stages is still relatively limited. The latter is of particular importance, given that a large proportion of sea turtle populations comprises immature individuals. We set out to identify knowledge gaps and identify the main barriers hindering research in this field. We analyzed the perceptions of sea turtle experts through an online survey which gathered their opinions on the current state of affairs on immature sea turtle research, including species and regions in need of further study, priority research questions, and barriers that have interfered with the advancement of research. Our gap analysis indicates that studies on immature leatherback Dermochelys coriacea and hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata turtles are lacking, as are studies on all species based in the Indian, South Pacific, and South Atlantic Oceans. Experts also perceived that studies in population ecology, namely on survivorship and demography, and habitat use/behavior, are needed to advance the state of knowledge on immature sea turtles. Our survey findings indicate the need for more interdisciplinary research, collaborative efforts (e.g. data-sharing, joint field activities), and improved communication among researchers, funding bodies, stakeholders, and decision-makers.
Employee’s Market Orientation and Business Performance in Nigeria: Analysis of Small Business Enterprises in Lagos State

Organization success is determined by the demand for its product or services. Many organization put in place methods and strategies that could enabled them attract customers and improved the quality and quantity of their product. One of the major methods in this direction is market orientation. Employees are influenced to consider organization interest and be involved or oriented to monitor their customers’ loyalty and attitude towards their product to enable them to be competitive, productive and profitable. But despite its advantage, most small business enterprises (SBEs) in Lagos, the economic capital of Nigeria don’t engage in market orientation. This paper examines different methods of market orientation and how it could be employed for improved SBEs performance in Lagos State. Two null hypotheses were formulated to test the relationship between customer orientation and sales growth and market orientation and SBE’s profitability. Questions were formulated based on the hypotheses and questionnaires were distributed to top managers and investors of SBEs, out of which 95% of the respondents returned duly completed and properly filled questionnaires. The research findings show that many SBEs that engage in market orientation recorded substantial progress. But most other have not really applied this method, hence their low performance and profitability. The study recommends that market orientation should be used by SBEs for improved performance. Also, SBEs managers and owners should engage in market orientation to enable their enterprises more profitable and survive in changing, dynamic and turbulent business environment.
New Sauropod Trackways from the Middle Jurassic of Portugal

The Galinha tracksite reveals a sequence of Bajocian—Bathonian limestones belonging to the Serra de Aire Formation (West-Central Portugal) and is one of the few sites in the world where Middle Jurassic sauropod dinosaur tracks can be found. This tracksite is characterised by the presence of long, wide gauge sauropod trackways, the Middle Jurassic age of which suggests these dinosaurs were more widely distributed over time than previously thought. Two trackways contain unique pes and manus prints with morphologies that allow a new sauropod ichnotaxon to be described: Polyonyx gomesi igen, et isp. nov. On the basis of different manus/pes prints and trackway features, the proposal is made to subdivide Sauropodomorpha ichno-morphotypes into five groups: Tetrasauropus-like, Otozoum-like, Breviparopus/Parabrontopodus-like; Brontopodus-like, and Polyonyx-like. Polyonyx gomesi igen, et isp. nov. is thought to represent a non-neosauropod eusauropod, with a well developed manus digit I. The posterior orientation of this digit print suggests they were made by a eusauropod dinosaur with a posteriorly rotated pollex. The manus print morphologies observed in two trackways suggest a stage of manus structure intermediate between the primitive non-tubular sauropod manus and the tubular metacarpal arrangement characteristic of more derived sauropods. The low heteropody (manus:pes area ratio 1:2) of the trackway renders it possible they could have been made by eusauropods such as Turiasaurus riodevensis, which has a similar manus:pes area ratio. The Polyonyx igen. nov. trackway was made by non-neosauropod eusauropod, and suggests that wide gauge sauropod trackways were not exclusively made by Titanosauriformes.
A Contextual Semantic Interaction Interface for Virtual Reality Environments

Non-trivial virtual environments often require implementation of complex forms of user interaction, including spatial navigation within the whole environment as well as various forms of interaction with particular components of the environment. Dynamic environments, in which content or context changes in response to user interaction, raise serious problems to both content designers and users. Often in-scene interaction elements are used, but they impede perception of the virtual environment, especially in multi-user scenarios, in which majority of users are passive observers. In this paper, a new approach to navigation and interaction with three-dimensional virtual environments is proposed. This approach uses semantic metadata attached to particular components of the environment to build a dynamic interaction interface on a user's handheld mobile device. The interface is built in a contextual manner, enabling a user to interact with the virtual environment with full awareness of the possible actions. Prototypes of the server and the client modules have been implemented using the Unity engine, and the system has been tested on a large-size Powerwall setup.
UIP and Fisher parity : speculation or rational expectations ? Evidence for four Latin American countries ( Thesis Proposal ) Student :

This work aims to test the equilibrium relations of two international macroeconomics models for Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Brazil. The first model is the rational expectation hypothesis (REH) where three key relations will be tested: Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), Uncovered Interest Rate Parity (UIP) and the Fisher Parity condition. The second model follows the line of though of Imperfect Knowledge Economics (IKE) where two equilibrium relations will be tested. According to IKE, even under the assumption that agents are rational, the presence of speculative behavior in financial markets helps explain the long swings often observed in the behavior of exchange rates. The results support the view that the predictions of the IKE model hold for Colombia, while those of the REH hold for both Brazil and Mexico. Mixed findings are obtained for Chile.
An investigation of factors associated with depression in older adults

As the population ages, there is a need for continued research into the etiology of geriatric depression and improved ways to detect individuals at risk for developing this disorder. The current study explores relationships between depression, health perception, life satisfaction, and loneliness for 44 older (51-79) subjects. Relationships between the four variables and marital status, bereavement, monthly income, satisfaction with income, residence, occupation, education, size of household, and the number of living children and siblings are also examined. Two depression measures, the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory are utilized along with the Life Satisfaction Index-Z, the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Health Perception Questionnaire, and a demographic survey. Descriptive statistics for the depression measures and their correlates are presented, followed by a breakdown of the measures by demographic characteristics. Furthermore, the results of correlational analyses with the major variables of interest are followed by the results of multiple regression analyses conducted for each of the depression measures. The findings supported the hypotheses that persons who were more depressed would perceive themselves to be less healthy, less satisfied with life, and more lonely than those who were less depressed. As expected, depression was best predicted by a combination of factors, specifically, life satisfaction and loneliness. A breakdown of scores on the measures according to demographic variables found married persons to be the least depressed, persons with higher incomes to be the most satisfied with life, and that professionals perceived themselves to be healthier than laborers. Similar studies were conducted utilizing subjects who resided in retirement centers and psychiatric patients hospitalized for depression on a geriatric unit. In these studies health perception played a more significant role in predicting depression. In all cases, the Geriatric Depression Scale was found to correlate more strongly with the other variables compared to the Beck Depression Inventory. Suggestions for utilizing the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Life Satisfaction Index-Z, and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale to detect those older persons at risk for depression are provided. Implications for further research and the difficulties encountered in this type of study are also discussed.
1 Optimal Design of Closed-loop Fusion for Sensor 2 Signal Expansion 3

Abstract: Sensor fusion technology is one of extensive used methods in the field of robot, aerospace 11 and target tracking control. In this paper, the generalized sensor fusion framework, named the 12 closed-loop fusion (CLF) is analyzed and the optimal design principle of filter is proposed in detail. 13 Fusion error optimization problem, which is the core issue of fusion design, is also solved better 14 through the feedback compensation law of CLF framework. Differently from conventional 15 methods, the fusion filter of CLF can be optimally designed and the determination of superposition 16 of fusion information is avoided. To show the validity, simulation and experimental results are to 17 be submitted. 18
Information Quality Aware Data Collection for Adaptive Monitoring of Distribution Grids

Information from existing smart metering infrastructure, which are currently mainly used for billing purposes, can also be utilized to monitor and control state of the grid. To add functionalities such as fault detection and real-time state estimation, data from smart meters should be accessed with increased frequency during run time. The data collection system should adapt to changing dynamics of the communication network and electrical grid. This paper first introduces adaptation functionalities for the data collection mechanism. To study and analyze the influence of configuration parameters that can be utilized for adaptation, a two-layer smart meter data access infrastructure is presented. An information quality metric, Mismatch Probability (mmPr) is introduced for the quantitative analysis of the two-layer data access system implemented in MATLAB based discrete event simulation study.
Effect of Foreign Direct Investment and Stock Market Development on Economic Growth in Nigeria (1980-2009)

This paper investigates the impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and stock market development on growth in Nigeria, for the period 1980-2009. The paper is imperative for policy makers to determine the trend of foreign direct investment and stock market development as well as the exert relationship that exists among foreign direct investment, stock market development and economic growth in Nigeria. The paper employs econometric techniques such as Unit Root test, Cointegration and Error Correction Mechanism. The results show that both foreign direct investment, its lagged and lagged stock market development have small, and a statistically significant effect on economic growth. The results seem to support the argument that extractive FDI and stock market development were growth enhancing. But the trends results show that both FDI and stock market development have cyclical movement. Finally, the results show that lagged exchange rate has positive effect on growth. These findings suggest that exchange rate appreciation enhance growth in Nigeria and there is need for more investment in these markets. Keywords: FDI; Stock Market Development; Economic Growth; Error Correction Mechanism; Cointegration and Unit Root Test
IDENTIFYING METHODS AND TECHNIQUES FOR THE HARMONIZATION OF MULTIPLE PROCESS REFERENCE MODELS

Several papers which support the area of harmonization of multiple models have recently been proposed. In order to offer a clear and general view of the proposals described in these papers, it is important to carry out an analysis of them. An analysis which seeks to identify, classify, and connect the knowledge concerning the harmonization of models described in these proposals has therefore been carried out in this paper. This analysis is based on the four basic operations of set theory, and has permitted us to establish a definition of and the relationship between the techniques, methods, and concepts discovered in harmonization of models. Certain special considerations and conjectures which should be taken into account when implementing these methods and techniques are also described.
Nutritional composition of Jatropha tanjorensis leaves and effects of its aqueous extract on carbon tetrachloride induced oxidative stress in male Wistar albino rats

Many consumers of Jatropha tanjorensis leaves claim that the leaves are nutritious and in addition, possess nutraceutical properties that promote good health. Such claims can be misleading since there is no scientific data to validate their claims. This study evaluated the nutritional and antioxidant properties of the aqueous extract of Jatropha tanjorensis leaves in carbon tetrachloride induced male Wistar albino rats with the aim of validating some nutritional and nutraceutical properties claimed by local consumers. Anti-nutritional factors, vitamins, proximate and mineral compositions were determined using standard analytical protocols. Acute toxicity and antioxidant properties were investigated with 18 male mice and 30 male Wistar albino rats respectively. The data obtained were statistically analysed using one-way analysis of variance. Anti-nutritional analysis revealed presence of alkaloids and phytate in relatively high amounts while glycosides and tannins were undetected. The leaves have nutritionally good proximate composition. High vitamin A, low vitamins B1 and C and undetectable level of vitamin E were also observed in the leaves. Relatively high amount of sodium (402.20 ± 1.97 ppm) and iron (50.67 ± 0.76 ppm) were observed. Acute toxicity study revealed the relative safety of the aqueous extract as no mice exhibited signs of toxicity or death after 24 hours of oral administration. The CCl4 induction caused significant (p<0.05) decrease in antioxidant enzymes activities when compared with the normal control, however, treatment with graded doses of the extract resulted in significant (p<0.05) dose dependent increase in catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and significant (p<0.05) dose dependent decrease in malondialdehyde concentration when compared with the positive control. It is concluded that the leaves are nutritionally rich and possess antioxidant properties that could effectively ameliorate oxidative stress; however, excessive consumption may impair bioavailability of some nutrients due to high phytate content.
Bias and consistency of the maximum Sharpe ratio

We show that the maximum Sharpe ratio obtained via the Markowitz optimization procedure from a sample of returns on a number of risky assets is, under commonly satisfied assumptions, biased upwards for the population value. Thus investment advice, decisions and assessments based on the estimated Sharpe ratio will be overly optimistic. The bias in the estimator is shown theoretically and illustrated using a data set of Spiders and iShares. We obtain bounds on the difference between the sample maximum Sharpe ratio and its population counterpart and show that the sample estimator is consistent for the population value; thus the bias disappears asymptotically under some reasonable assumptions. However, the bias can be significant infinite samples and can persist even in very large samples. We demonstrate this with simulations based on portfolios formed from normally and t-distributed returns. As expected, the over-optimistic risk-return tradeoff predicted by the procedure is not reflected in corresponding good out-of-sample portfolio performance of the Spiders and iShares.
Interlinking motifs and entropy landscapes of statistically interacting particles

The s=1/2 Ising chain with uniform nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor coupling is used to construct a system of floating particles characterized by motifs of up to six consecutive local spins. The spin couplings cause the assembly of particles which, in turn, remain free of interaction energies even at high density. All microstates are configurations of particles from one of three different sets, excited from pseudo-vacua associated with ground states of periodicities one, two, and four. The motifs of particles and elements of pseudo-vacuum interlink in two shared site variables. The statistical interaction between particles is encoded in a generalized Pauli principle, describing how the placement of one particle modifies the options for placing further particles. In the statistical mechanical analysis arbitrary energies can be assigned to all particle species. The entropy is a function of the particle populations. The statistical interaction specifications are transparently built into that expression. The energies and structures of the particles alone govern the ordering at low temperature. Under special circumstances the particles can be replaced by more fundamental particles with shorter motifs that interlink in only one shared site variable. Structures emerge from interactions on two levels: particles with shapes from coupled spins and long-range ordering tendencies from statistically interacting particles with shapes.
Comparison of disc diffusion and E test® for in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from poultry

SUMMARY The correlation between disc diffusion and E test® for in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli was evaluated using a quality control strain C. jejuni NCTC 11168 and 60 C. jejuni and 25 C. coli isolates recovered from poultry (chicken and turkey) faeces. Four antimicrobial agents ; ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, erythromycin and tetracyclin were tested using the two methods. The correlation between the E test, and disc diffusion varied greatly depending on the antimicrobial agents tested. The percentages of true results and 95% CI for disc diffusion for resistant strains were 75.3 % for ciprofloxacin, 25.9 % for enrofloxacin, 21.2 % for erythromycin and 14.1 % for tetracycline. Based on the E test® MICs, the resistant rate of the 85 Campylobacter isolates was highest for ciprofloxacin (78.8 %), followed by enrofloxacin (49.4%), erythromycin (21.2 %) and tetracycline (12.9%). Overall, our results suggest that disc diffusion is a reliable, easy and inexpensive susceptibility testing method for C. jejuni and C. coli for enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and tetracycline. The study indicated that the E test® results were reliable but it has been proven to be satisfactory testing method, its use for Campylobacter susceptibility testing requires further standardization. The resistance to four antibiotics for Campylobacter isolates in our study needs to be confirmed using the agar dilution or broth dilution methods. Therefore, surveillance programmes on antimicrobial-resistant clinical zoonotic pathogens in veterinary medicine in Turkey are needed.
RESEARCH: "A Motivational Systems Theory Approach to the Relation Between Religious Experiences and Religious Motives"

This study used motivational systems theory (MST; Ford, 1992) to clarify a number of ambiguities surrounding conceptualizations and measures of religious experience and motivation. These ambiguities refer to the differences between numinous and mystical religious experience, extrovertive and introvertive mystic religious experience, and intrinsic and extrinsic religious experience. On the basis of the assumption that personal goals and affective processes are central and relatively independent components of motivation, this investigation explores the relation between a multidimensional measure of religious motives recently developed by Lazar, Kravetz and Frederich-Kedem (2002) and Hood's (1975) multidimensional measure of religious experience. Correlation analysis of the responses of 164 young adult male Jewish orthodox students of Jewish parochial schools to the previously mentioned measures lead to a number of speculations about the ambiguities concerning religious experience and motives.
Influence of Family Environment on the Students' Use of Self-Regulated Learning Strategies.

Recently researchers have begun to study empirically the role of the personal attributes of students and psychological processes underlying their learning and academic performance. One such aspect is known as Self-Regulation in Learning (SRL). Self-regulated learning (SRL) is a cognitively inherent aspect of learning. SRL is a deliberate, judgmental and adaptive process. Active family involvement helps the child to grow in a healthy manner and hence it is accepted by the researchers that healthy development of personality is promoted only by providing suitable atmosphere in the family. An attempt is made in this study to assess the impact of family environment on the students' use of self-regulated learning strategies. The results of this study reveal that students differ significantly in self-regulated learning with respect to their gender, type of school they have studied and their parents' education. The various dimensions of the family environment have a significant impact on the students' self-regulated learning. The findings of this study have been discussed in this research.
D-Map+

Information diffusion analysis is important in social media. In this work, we present a coherent ego-centric and event-centric model to investigate diffusion patterns and user behaviors. Applying the model, we propose Diffusion Map+ (D-Maps+), a novel visualization method to support exploration and analysis of user behaviors and diffusion patterns through a map metaphor. For ego-centric analysis, users who participated in reposting (i.e., resending a message initially posted by others) one central user’s posts (i.e., a series of original tweets) are collected. Event-centric analysis focuses on multiple central users discussing a specific event, with all the people participating and reposting messages about it. Social media users are mapped to a hexagonal grid based on their behavior similarities and in the chronological order of repostings. With the additional interactions and linkings, D-Map+ is capable of providing visual profiling of influential users, describing their social behaviors and analyzing the evolution of significant events in social media. A comprehensive visual analysis system is developed to support interactive exploration with D-Map+. We evaluate our work with real-world social media data and find interesting patterns among users and events. We also perform evaluations including user studies and expert feedback to certify the capabilities of our method.