Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Introducing an Inequalities Index from the Simple Perceptron Pattern in ANN: an unemployment inequalities application in Regional Economics

This article introduces a new inequalities index, which was inspired from the simple perceptron’s pattern in the artificial neural networks (ANN) scientific field and nominated by the authors Modulus Perceptron Inequalities Index (MPII). The structural similarities of this ANN pattern with a binary logic gate, in the Digital Electronics Theory (DET), lead to deal with the existence of operational similarities between these two models. The introduced index aroused while examining the potentials of the simple perceptron to solve the non-linear separable ―exclusive disjunction‖ (XOR) problem, by using techniques of the Theory of Numbers in Mathematics. Since the XOR architecture is considered by the DET an inequality detector, due to its ability to result to the same outcome in the same input values, the solution of the XOR problem for a simple perceptron authorizes the ANN and DET XOR models to be considered identical, in the extend that inequalities is regarded. The above XOR models utility appears to operate satisfactory in Regional Science’s inequalities research. The examination of MPII’s behavior in comparison with the Theil index, concluded to be almost identical in the extend that slope conservation is regarded and more capable on cases that the Theil’s index cannot operate.
Adaptation of the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire into Turkish: The Validity and Reliability Study

This study was conducted with the aim of determining whether the Turkish form of the “Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire” developed by Godin is a valid and reliable tool for diabetic patients in Turkey. The study was conducted as a methodological research on 300 diabetic patients in Turkey. The linguistic equivalence of the questionnaire was assessed through the back-translation method, while its content validity was assessed through obtaining expert opinions. Cronbach’s alpha value was found to assess the reliability of the questionnaire. The test-retest analysis and the correlation between independent observers were examined. The content validity index (CVI) was found to be . 82 according to the expert assessments, and no statistical difference was found between them (Kendall’s , ). Cronbach’s alpha was found to be , the result of the test-retest analysis was , and the correlation between independent observers (ICC) was . 98. This study found that the Turkish form of the Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to define and assess the exercise behaviors of Turkish diabetic patients.
A predictive multi-agent approach to model systems with linear rational expectations

Expectation formation plays a principal role in economic systems. We examine and revise the standard rational expectations (RE) model, generally taken as the best paradigm for expectations modelling, and suggest a new method to model rational expectations. Conventional conditions that assert the stability and uniqueness of popular solution methods are shown to be insufficient. The agent-based new modelling approach suggested in this paper will be shown to lead to uniquely stable solutions.
A study on endoparasitic and ectoparasitic fauna of snakes in Mizoram, India

Gautam Patra, Sonjoy Kumar Borthakur, Seikh Sahanawaz Alam, Subhamoy Ghosh, Hmar Lalliankimi, Hniang Lalrinkima Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Selesih, Aizawl, India Department of Veterinary Microbiology, West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, K.B. Sarani, Kolkata, W.B. , India Department of Livestock Production & Management, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Selesih, Aizawl, India Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2017; 7(8): 458-462
Musically significant, automatic localisation of note boundaries for the performance analysis of vocal music

Hair’s recent compositions for voice include works composed in the 19-ET system. One of the primary motivations for the move away from 12-ET is a more extensive chromatic variety [11]. Works such as Ash require a significant effort to “retune the ear” of conservatory-trained musicians: they have spent most, if not all, of their careers performing in standard 12-ET tuning or at least in tuning systems which explicitly admit only twelve divisions of the octave. Having delivering advanced, 19-ET capable ear-training software, there is a motivation better to understand the emergent performance structures, essentially the performance tradition, of such music. Previous published work on automatic transcription determines note onset simply by awaiting a temporarily stable pitch, or removes the effect of vibrato by averaging the pitch trajectory over time. A detailed measurement of the pitch trajectories of expert performers, and separately, of each note’s inflections needs to be made, so that this information can be interpreted in the context of composed harmonic and melodic structures. We describe two specially developed segmentation algorithms in application to vocal music. In both cases, particular attributes of the music would make it likey that naive algorithms would fail. Firstly, pitch-based segmentation is undertaken in a piece where the smallest chromatic interval is 1/19th of an octave. This presents the algorithm with pitch resolution problems more stringent than pitch-based segmentation in 12ET. The algorithm has been deployed as a rehearsal aid for repertoire-specific training of expert musicians at the Royal College of Music[5]. The second example demonstrates the use of vector quantisation to establish significant pitch-trajectory characteristics in a recording of Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire. The source material was recorded especially by the soprano Jane Manning, an internationally recognised authority on the performance of this piece whose first recording of it dates from 1967[9].
A QoS-Oriented Congestion Control Mechanism for Satellite Networks

The sharply increasing amount of data, which are transferred by the satellite network, requires the satellite network to provide quality-of-service (QoS). However, the upsurge in the data flow leads to the network congestion, impeding its ability to offer QoS. Congestion control mechanisms, deployed in the ground networks, have been thoroughly studied. But those deployed in the satellite networks have not been studied yet. As satellite networks are now important supplements to the ground backbone networks, this paper carefully analyzes the current challenges of developing the QoS-oriented congestion control mechanism for satellite networks. On this basis, a consequent mechanism QMCC (QoS-oriented mechanism of congestion control for satellite networks) is described in detail. Under that QMCC, the source nodes utilize an equation to compute the sending rate for each data flow; meanwhile, the intermediate nodes keep detecting real-time package-loss rates for timely adjustments. Simulation results indicate QMCC can provide superior congestion control performance, and raise network throughputs without reducing the QoS effects.
AM Modelling Conditional Correlations in International Tourism Demand

International tourism demand, or tourist arrivals, to Aus tralia has recently experienced dramatic fluctuations due to changes in the economic, financial a nd political environment. However, variations in touris m demand, specifically the conditional variance, or vola tility, have not previously been investigated. An analysi s of such volatility is essential for investigating the eff ects of shocks in tourism demand models. This paper models the conditional mean and conditional variance of the l ogarithm of the monthly tourist arrival rate from the f our leading tourism source countries to Australia, namely Ja pan, New Zealand, UK and USA, using three multivariate static or constant conditional correlati on (CCC) volatility models, specifically the symmetri c CCCMGARCH model of Bollerslev (1990), symmetric VARMA-GARCH model of Ling and McAleer (2003), and asymmetric VARMA-AGARCH model of Chan, Hoti and McAleer (2002). Monthly data from July 1975 to July 2000 are used in the empirical analysis. The results suggest the presence of interdependent effects in the conditional variances between the four leading countries, and asymmetric effects of shocks in two of the four countries. This is important as it emphasizes interdepende ncies between major tourism source countries, as well as the asymmetric effects of positive and negative shocks in tourism demand. The estimated CCC matrices for the three models are not substantially different from e ach other, which confirms the robustness of the esti mates to alternative specifications of the multivariate cond itional variance.
HOW MUCH TO DONATE: THE EFFECT OF DONORS' NATURE ON ATTITUDE TOWARD DONATIONS AND DONATION VALUE

The study is motivated by a growing body of literature showing that donations in developing countries are stagnating, which leads to plausible suggestions of a decline in altruism and philanthropy. The study suggests that the probable explanation may lie in the attitude of individuals towards donations, and tries to explain this phenomenon basing on the nature of the donor, either being altruistic or hedonistic. The paper proposes a conceptual model that aims at predicting donation behaviour of individuals. The proposed model integrates ideas from previous studies within the field of altruism and donor behaviour. The results revealed that an individual’s attitude towards donations correlates with how much they are likely to donate, and that altruists are likely to donate amounts higher than those donated by hedonists despite the negative attitude that altruists are likely to have towards donations.
Face Recognition via Robust Auxiliary Dictionary Learning

This paper mainly addresses the building of face recognition system by using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). PCA is a statistical approach used for reducing the number of variables in face recognition. In PCA, every image in the training set is represented as a linear combination of weighted eigenvectors called eigenfaces. These eigenvectors are obtained from covariance matrix of a training image set. The weights are found out after selecting a set of most relevant Eigenfaces. Recognition is performed by projecting a test image onto the subspace spanned by the eigenfaces and then classification is done by measuring minimum Euclidean distance. A number of experiments were done to evaluate the performance of the face recognition system. In this thesis, we used a training database of students of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering department, Batch-2007, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh.
IN -VITRO ANTIOXIDATIVE ACTIVITY OF PHENOLIC AND FLAVONOID COMPOUNDS EXTRACTED FROM SEEDS OF ABRUS PRECATORIUS

The aim of this work was to estimate the total phenolic and flavonoid content, and to evaluate in-vitro antioxidant activity of ethanolic seeds extract of Abrus Precatorius (ASEt). The raw, dry seeds powder was extracted with 99.9% of ethanol. Phytochemical test shows that extract contains higher level of total phenol and flavonoids. Total phenolic compound in ethanolic seeds extract of Abrus precatorius was found to be 95 mg/g of extract calculated as gallic acid equivalent (r 2 =0.9976) and total flavonoids compound was found to be 21 mg/g of extract calculated as rutin equivalent (r 2 =0.9985). The extract was screened for its potential antioxidant activities using tests such as hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, reducing power activity, and hydrogen peroxide-scavenging activity. The in-vitro antioxidant assay showed ASEt posses potent antioxidant activity when compared with reference compound butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). ASEt could be useful for preparation of neutraceuticals as potent antioxidant to treat various human diseases and its complications.
The origin of the mass discrepancy-acceleration relation in ΛCDM.

We examine the origin of the mass discrepancy–radial acceleration relation (MDAR) of disc galaxies. This is a tight empirical correlation between the disc centripetal acceleration and that expected from the baryonic component. The MDAR holds for most radii probed by disc kinematic tracers, regardless of galaxy mass or surface brightness. The relation has two characteristic accelerations: a0, above which all galaxies are baryon dominated, and amin, an effective minimum acceleration probed by kinematic tracers in isolated galaxies. We use a simple model to show that these trends arise naturally in Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM). This is because (i) disc galaxies in ΛCDM form at the centre of dark matter haloes spanning a relatively narrow range of virial mass; (ii) cold dark matter halo acceleration profiles are self-similar and have a broad maximum at the centre, reaching values bracketed precisely by amin and a0 in that mass range and (iii) halo mass and galaxy size scale relatively tightly with the baryonic mass of a galaxy in any successful ΛCDM galaxy formation model. Explaining the MDAR in ΛCDM does not require modifications to the cuspy inner mass profiles of dark haloes, although these may help to understand the detailed rotation curves of some dwarf galaxies and the origin of extreme outliers from the main relation. The MDAR is just a reflection of the self-similar nature of cold dark matter haloes and of the physical scales introduced by the galaxy formation process.
Long-term anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidaemic effects of aqueous stem bark extract of Irvingia gabonensis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Irvingia gabonensis is used traditionally to treat diabetes. The antidiabetic effect of the seed extract has been demonstrated in human and animal models. This study was designed to evaluate the long-term antidiabetic and anti-hyperlipidaemic effects of aqueous stem bark extract of I. gabonensis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Twenty four Wistar rats in three groups, normal control, diabetic control and I. gabonensis treated diabetic rats (TDR) were used for this study. Diabetes was induced in 16 rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 65mg/kg body weight. Upon confirmation of diabetes, the treated diabetic rats were orally (by gavage) given aqueous extract of I. gabonensis bark at 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 24 weeks. Body weight was monitored weekly, while fasting blood sugar (FBS) and serum lipid profile (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDLcholesterol and HDL-cholesterol) were assessed at specific intervals for 24 weeks. I. gabonensis significantly (P<0.05) reduced the FBS of the treated diabetic rats to normal control levels 2 weeks after the commencement of treatment. The reduction of FBS was sustained till the end of the study (24 weeks). Furthermore, at various stages of monitoring, the extract reduced the STZ-induced elevation of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDLcholesterol, and significantly (p<0.05) increased the STZ-induced decrease in HDL-cholesterol. Our study concludes that aqueous stem bark extract of I. gabonensis possess significant long-term anti-diabetic and hypolipidaemic effects. These anti-hyperlipidaemic effects as well as the presence of phytochemicals with recognizable anti-oxidant effects will be useful in the treatment of diabetic complications. KEYWORDS : Irvingia gabonensis , Diabetes mellitus, Anti-diabetic, Anti-hyperlipidaemic, Medicinal plants.
Entry and processing of Borrelia burgdorferi pleomorphic forms

Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease also encountered in Finland. Common symptoms of Lyme disease are erythema migrans –skin lesion, headache, fatigue, and fever. Possible symptoms in the late stage of the disease are arthritis, carditis, and neuroborreliosis. The causative agent is a spirochete called Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Bb has multiple methods to evade host immunity, and many aspects of host immune response to Bb are not yet examined. The disease is a subject of a great controversy. Particularly the possibility of a chronic Borrelia infection is under debate. Bb can alter its shape and transform into a round body (RB) form, which has been suggested to play a role in chronic disease. Phagocytic cells play a significant role in clearing an infection as well as activating other aspects of immunity. Here, actin, lysosomes and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) were immunolabeled in macrophages, and their colocalization with internalized spirochetes or RBs was analyzed based on confocal microscopic images. Dendritic cells are antigen-presenting cells and the main link between innate and adaptive immunity. First, a dendritic cell maturation protocol was developed and then cells were stimulated with either spirochetes or RBs. Cytokines excreted by stimulated dendritic cells were analyzed. As a result, actin colocalization with both forms was equal suggesting that actin is used in the phagocytosis of both forms. Spirochetes colocalized more with lysosomes than RBs. Spirochetes are reported to be degraded not only in lysosomes but also in the cytosol. These results suggested that RBs are degraded more often in the cytosol. Low colocalization of either form with ER led to the conclusion that another method is required to study possible major histocompatibility complex class I antigen presentation. The dendritic cell maturation protocol did not produce as high maturation rate as pursued. However, some differences in cytokine secretion were detected between spirochetes and RBs. For example, interleukin 8, CCL2 and CCL5 had an increased production by RB stimulation. In conclusion, these results indicate a difference between spirochete and RB processing in immune cells that may cause separate immune responses. Nevertheless, further studies are required to obtain more information on the significance of the differences. Perhaps, RBs can provide an explanation for the pathogenesis behind chronic Lyme disease.
Six-month follow-up of two mother-infant psychotherapies: Convergence of therapeutic outcomes

Fifty-eight mothers and infants participating in two infant–mother psychotherapeutic interventions in a comparative infant–mother clinical intervention study were followed six months after treatment ended. One treatment was an infant-led psychotherapy, Watch, Wait, and Wonder (WWW). The other was a more traditional mother–infant psychodynamic psychotherapy (PPT). Infants ranged in age from 10 to 30 months at the outset of treatment, which took place in weekly sessions over approximately five months. Results indicated that positive effects observed from the beginning to the end of treatment in both treatment groups in infant symptoms, parenting stress, and mother–infant interaction were maintained or improved further at six-month follow-up. Additionally, decreased maternal depression, gains in infant cognitive development and emotion regulation, and improved infant–mother attachment security or organization had been observed posttreatment only in the WWW group. Interestingly, between the posttreatment to follow-up period the PPT group also showed such gains. Thus, for these variables it would be more accurate to say that the outcomes were similar for the two treatment groups but change emerged at a different pace. Nevertheless, an advantage persisted in the WWW group in relation to mothers' comfort dealing with infant behaviors and their ratings of parenting stress which improved more in this group from the end of treatment to follow-up. The direct inclusion of the infant as an initiator in WWW was set forth as an explanation of differentially timed treatment effects. ©2002 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.
The role and influence of the Architect in industrialized building

An emerging trend within the construction industry is the expectation of the customer to experience and sense the product, maybe even in a customized manner. The latter trend would extend the necessity of incorporating not only function and aesthetics, but also perception and sensation. To meet this trend while at the same time improve the productivity the use of information technology such as BIM and technical platforms has increased in construction projects. Nevertheless, in spite of large investments, the construction industry has not managed to increase the effectiveness and productivity as much as other industries. Evident is that successful use of information technology depend on the integration and collaboration of various experts in a continuous and dynamic process. Such multidisciplinary team may be organized within a single organization or between business partners. The purpose of this master thesis is to investigate the use of BIM and technical platforms from an architectural perspective. This is done by evaluate the influence and impact of BIM and technical platform on the architects’ role and work process, evaluate how BIM and technical platforms affects the collaboration and communication between architects and other actors within the project and evaluate how architects use BIM and technical platforms to attain architectural values, style and design quality. Thirteen interviews with participants in the design phase of two Skanska Xchange projects and five interviews with experts in information technology have been conducted. The results show that a multidisciplinary development organization, initial education, former experience and how much a participant is encouraged to share professional knowledge are factors that have a large effect on the success of the end result of the construction project. In addition the technical platform limits the choice of solutions possible, provides other requirements than traditional projects and changes the roles in the design phase. The risk of relying too much on technology may contribute to decreased quality due to less questioning. Since a building is created and designed to experience and live in, participants in every phase of the construction project have to attain an active role to assure that the end result has a high quality of living. The influence and professional knowledge of each participant is equally important in the design phase. A straight forward and simple structured communication plan would minimize misunderstandings and provide each participant with clear responsibilities. In addition, a work plan for each role explaining how the technical platform system and BIM should be used, why and what the expected outcome is, would facilitate the understanding of the Skanska Xchange manual. Keywords: Building Information Modeling, technical platform, architect, multidisciplinary, construction industry, industrialized building.
Chinese Guanxi and Anglo-American Networking: A Comparative Investigation of Cross-Cultural Interpersonal Business Relationships

Both Chinese and Anglo-American cultures highlight the importance of interpersonal relationships for successful business. In Chinese and Anglo-American culture respectively, guanxi and networking are linguistic equivalents. However, cross-culturally there are emic differences, particularly of Chinese guanxi, which are not captured by these linguistic equivalencies. As such, Chinese guanxi remain somewhat mysterious to a non-Chinese audience. This study explores the differences between Chinese guanxi and Anglo-American networking through a process of semi-structured interviews with n=10 individuals familiar with both cultural contexts. The data indicate three major themes for Chinese guanxi: a heavy emphasis on reciprocity, a long-term orientation, and culture specific etiquette for building guanxi. Each theme is also furthered characterized by important sub-themes that further our understanding of Chinese guanxi. Implications for enhanced cross-cultural relationships are discussed.