Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Real Time Monitoring and the New Information Technologies 1

Debates as to the potential role of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in monitoring the wellbeing of vulnerable groups is often bedevilled by the failure of two principal actors – social researchers and technical experts – to address the other’s concerns or even to use language that is comprehensible to the other side. The aim here is to unpick some of the technical language relevant in this context and provide a brief introductory guide to some aspects of the current, rapidly changing and highly diverse ICT environment. IDS Bulletin Volume 44 Number 2 March 2013 © 2013 The Authors. IDS Bulletin © 2013 Institute of Development Studies Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, UK and 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148, USA 1IDSB44.2 GreeleyIntro.qxd 12/03/2013 13:34 Page 31
Heterozygosity decrease in wild boar mating system. A case of outbreeding avoidance

In sexually reproducing organisms, the specific combinations of parental alleles can have important consequences on offspring viability and fitness. Accordingly, genetic relationship between mates can be used as a criterion for mate choice. Here, we used microsatellite genetic markers to estimate the genetic relationship between mating pairs in the wild boar, Sus scrofa. Males, females and foetuses proceeding from Portugal, Spain and Hungary were genotyped using 14 microsatellite markers. The genetic relationship between mates was estimated using different measures of foetus heterozygosity. We found that the observed heterozygosity of foetuses was lower than that expected under random mating. This result occurred mainly when Sd2 (relatedness of parental genomes) was used as the heterozygosity measure. After simulations, we concluded that the observed low heterozygosity was possibly due to outbreeding avoidance. Outbreeding avoidance based on genetically different genomes might play an important role in species evolution and its genetic conservation.
Impact of audit quality on firm performance

Increased importance of the audited financial statements is continuously given by investors and shareholders. Audited statements are considered essential for reducing information asymmetries between parties and assuring market efficiency and credibility. Whether the audit improves the performance of firms is a widely investigated topic. Expectations are that in presence of credibility and reliability of audited financial reports the financial performance of the firms is improved. In presence of information asymmetry this may not be the case. This paper aims to investigate the impact of audit quality on firm performance. The focus is on 2051 North-American listed corporations on a time span from 2001-2018. A two-step approach is followed in order to estimate the impact. The first stage estimates audit quality as the residuals of a regression of audit fees on size, risk, complexity of the firms, as well as a dummy variable of auditor size. The second regression estimates the effect of the audit quality, book value per share, earnings per share, dividends per share and dividend yield on stock prices. The rationale behind this approach is that audit quality is not measurable, but it surely affects the price of the audit in a positive way. As such, it is part of the error term in a regression that explains audit fees, which is how it is estimated. The residuals from the first regression are the proxy for Audit Quality, and will be used in the second regression as one of the explanatory variables. The results indicate that audit quality has a significant and positive effect on firm performance as measured by stock prices. In addition, there is evidence that book value per share and earnings per share also have a significant and positive effect on stock prices, as expected. However, dividends per share and dividend yield are not significant determinants of stock prices.
A Sample Profile-based Optimization Method with Better Precision

Conventional feedback-directed optimization is not widely adopted for the difficulties in generating representative training data sets. High runtime overhead and tedious re-compilation model obstruct its usability. Instruction-level hardware event sampling may overcome the drawbacks. There are still several challenges in creating accurate edge profiles, which is necessary to achieve competitive performance gains. This paper focuses on multiple hardware event profiles, supervised learning to discover patterns and generate heuristics to improve the precision of the instruction-level sample profile. We further enhance the efficacy of the smoothing algorithm used to construct the edge profiles from the instruction level and basic-block level samples. With these improvements, it is able to achieve about 70% of the performance obtained via instrumentation-based exact edge profiles for SPEC benchmarks, which also brings better performance of about 2.05%-13.81% improvement.
Should we stay or should we go? : a factorial survey analysis of decisions on regional moves within dual-earner partnerships

This paper focuses on the problems faced by dual-career partnerships arising from the regional coordination of both partners’ employment careers. Although it is well known that couples are less mobile than singles, we do not know whether this is due to homogenous preferences within couples or to a process of balancing conflicting interests. Consequently, we analyze the influences on potential conflicts caused by work-related migration incentives. Hypotheses derived from bargaining theory are tested using quasi-experimental data from a factorial survey of 280 couples. Our results support the bargaining approach and confirm that the potential for conflict is driven by asymmetrical shifts in bargaining power. There is only weak evidence for gender-related patterns.
On Admissible Mordell Equations and Hall conjecture

We introduce the notion of an admissible Mordell equation and establish some basic results concerning properties of its integral solutions. A non class-number and complete parametrization, with the most minimal set of conditions, for generating all the integral solutions of admissible Mordell equations was then proved. An eective and ecient algorithm for computing the integral solutions of admissible Mordell equations was also established from a proof of the Hall conjecture. One of our major results concerns the upper-bound for the number of integral solutions of each of these equations which we show may be explicitly computed. The analysis of these results leads us to the problem of deriving a general expression for the number of integral solutions of the Mordell equations. This problem is completely solved.
Predicting the communication pattern evolution for scalability analysis

The performance of the message-passing applications on a parallel system can vary and cause inefficiencies as the applications grow. With the aim of providing scalability behavior information of these applications on a specific system, we propose a methodology that allows to analyze and predict the application behavior in a bounded time and using a limited number of resources. The proposed methodology is based on the fact that most scientific applications have been developed using specific communicational and computational patterns, which have certain behavior rules. As the number of application processes increases, these patterns change their behavior following specific rules, being functionally constants. Our methodology is focused on characterizing these patterns to find its general behavior rules, in order to build a logical application trace to predict its performance. The methodology uses the PAS2P tool to obtain the application behavior information, that allow us to analyze quickly a set of relevant phases covering approximately 95% of the total application. In this paper, we present the entire methodology while the experimental validation, that has been validated for the NAS benchmarks, is focused on characterizing the communication pattern for each phase and to model its general behavior rules to predict the pattern as the number of processes increases.
Method comparison studies in medicine

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Most of important variables measured in medicine are in numerical forms or continuous in nature. New instruments and tests are constantly being developed for the purpose of measuring various variables, with the aim of providing cheaper, non-invasive, more convenient and safe methods. When a new method of measurement or instrument is invented, the quality of the instrument has to be assessed. Agreement and reliability are both important parameters in determining the quality of an instrument. This article will discuss some issues related to methods comparison study in medicine for the benefit of medical professional and researcher.METHOD:This is a narrative review and this article review the most common statistical methods used to assess agreement and reliability of medical instruments that measure the same continuous outcome. The two methods discussed in detail were the Bland-Altman Limits of Agreement, and Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC). This article also discussed some issues related to method comparison studies including the application of inappropriate statistical methods, multiple statistical methods, and the strengths and weaknesses of each method. The importance of appropriate statistical method in the analysis of agreement and reliability in medicine is also highlighted in this article.CONCLUSION:There is no single perfect method to assess agreement and reliability; however researchers should be aware of the inappropriate methods that they should avoid when analysing data in method comparison studies. Inappropriate analysis will lead to invalid conclusions and thus validated instrument might not be accurate or reliable. Consequently this will affect the quality of care given to a patient.
Impact of Cytokines on Neural Stem/Progenitor Cell Fate

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSC/NPC) can be a powerful tool for the neural repair of the damaged brain. Many of the current challenges with stem cell therapies revolve around the problem that stem cells do not survive, migrate, proliferate and differentiate as much as hoped. Understanding the interaction between NPCs and the immune system is essential for the effective use of stem cell transplantation. Cytokines play an important role in determining the inflammatory microenvironment and have also been shown to have effects on the differentiation, proliferation, migration and survival of NPCs. The effects of cytokines on neural stem cell fate is more complex than once believed; the distinction between anti-inflammatory and pro- inflammatory cytokines is not straightforward and varies based on conditions such as cytokine concentration and area of transplantation. If their role is understood, cytokines could be used to improve the efficacy of stem cell treatments and enhance neural repair. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the effects of various cytokines on NPC fate. The ultimate goal of this review is to demonstrate how manipulation of the CNS microenvironment through alteration of various cytokines can enhance the capacity of NPC differentiation, proliferation, and overall neural repair.
Electron drift velocity in argon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen and ammonia in strong electric fields determined from rf breakdown curves

We report measurements of the breakdown curves for low-pressure rf capacitive discharges in nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, oxygen and ammonia. The electron drift velocity in these gases was deduced, as a function of reduced electric field, from the low-pressure turning points of the breakdown curves. The equation for rf breakdown proposed by Kihara (1952 Rev. Mod. Phys. 24 52) allows the position of both the turning point and the breakdown curve minimum to be calculated from the transport properties of each gas. Therefore we propose a new technique to determine the electron drift velocity from the position of the rf breakdown curve minima. We have determined the drift velocity in the range E/p = 52–1324 V cm−1 Torr−1 for nitrogen, E/p = 33–720 V cm−1 Torr−1 for argon, E/p = 32–713 V cm−1 Torr−1 for ammonia, E/p = 32–550 V cm−1 Torr−1 for hydrogen and E/p = 69–1673 V cm−1 Torr−1 for oxygen.
IDENTIFICATION OF COPPER-INDUCIBLE GENES IN SWORDTAIL FISH ( Xiphophorus spp . ) USING DIFFERENTIAL DISPLAY

Differential display technique was used to identify differentially expressed gene of swordtail fish (Xiphophorus spp.) that induced by 1 μg/ml copper for 24 hours. From eight primers that have been used for differential display, seven of them showed the differential genes which were not present in the control. The reamplification of these fragments ranging from below 100 to 200 bp. But only two fragments were successfully cloned and sequenced, those are H-AP10 and H-AP11. Sequence analysis showed that both of the sequences revealed high similarity with Homo sapiens stress-associated endoplasmic reticulum protein, a signal generated that induces apoptosis.
Selection of raw-starch digestive glucoamylase-producing Rhizopus strain

Thirty-nine Rhizopus isolates and 9 authentic Rhizopus strains were grown on wheat bran solid culture and assayed for their soluble starch digestive glucoamylase (GA) and raw-starch digestive glucoamylase (GARS). Results showed that the Rhizopus strains tested can be classified into 4 groups based on their GA and GARS production and ratio of GARS to GA. Four Rhizopus isolates and 2 authentic Rhizopus strains produced reasonable amount of GA and GARS activities (GA > 100 units/ml and GARS > 10 units/ml) in the solid culture extracts, having ratios of GARS to GA activity >0.10. The strain with the highest ratio of GARS to GA (F75) was selected for medium optimization. The highest GAand GARS-producing Rhizopus strain (IFO 4697), Rhizopus F75 and a good glucoamylase-producing Aspergillus niger (K-20) were cultured using the optimum medium and the glucoamylase enzymes produced were further characterized based on saccharification rate on various raw starches and rates of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation in combination with baker's yeast.
Knowledge and Knowers in Engineering Assessment

In multidisciplinary technology-based engineering diploma programmes in South Africa, the curriculum is often structured into distinctly theoretical and practical components, each of which is taught and assessed at different stages by different disciplinary or technical specialists. This separation does not necessarily reflect the complexity of such emerging regions, nor allow for the opportunity to assess multidisciplinary competence in the context of real world practice. Although the Exit Level Outcomes, endorsed by the Engineering Council of South Africa, are intended to provide a holistic framework of achievement in engineering qualifications, it is evident that these outcomes mean different things to the various stakeholders involved in curriculum design, delivery and evaluation. The moment of final academic assessment presents a number of challenges. Who is in a position to assess whether or not a candidate has successfully demonstrated the required level of competence? Legitimation Code Theory offers a lens through which to consider the nature of and relationship between the epistemic and social aspects of the assessment of complex performance, particularly in the South African socio-historical context. This paper presents the analysis of a single engineering assessment case study in which the knowledge and knower values that emerged among a group of assessors are interrogated. 'The findings suggest that in the absence of specific epistemic expertise, the default assessment position relies on knower attributes. This may have implications for the assumption in science-based professions that what you know matters more than who you are.
Emerging Trend in Natural Resource Utilization for Bioremediation of Oil — Based Drilling Wastes in Nigeria

Nigeria is a country endowed with diverse mineral and natural resources among which is petroleum, a pivot to the national economy and sustainable development. In the past five decades, petroleum exploration and production activities have brought national economic boom but not without some aches. Acts of sabotage such as crude oil theft, pipeline bunkering and artisanal refining added to accidental spills and operational failures all combine to aggravate the oil-related aches. Oil spill into the environment, stemming from either acts of sabotage or operational failures, ultimately lead to environmental pollution with petroleum hydrocarbons [1, 2]. Petroleum mining or drilling is another factor to petroleum hydrocarbons in the environment. Most of the adverse impacts of oil spill/ petroleum hydrocarbons in the environment are experienced in the oil bearing communities, located in the Niger Delta region of the country; prominent among them being the Ogoni land pollution incidence reported by United Nations Environment Programme [1]. Petroleum exploration and production activities are strongly associated with drilling operations for oil mining. Accordingly, the extraction of petroleum resources from the earth is achieved by drilling activities. A developed drilling concept, irrespective of technological advancement, has its technical challenges, process requirements and environmental issues [3]. Drilling fluids, also referred to as drilling muds are used to enhance drilling activities via suspension of cuttings, pressure control, stabilization of exposed rocks, provision of buoyancy, cooling and lubricating.
Using Pro-Active Evaluation Methods to Improve Course Evaluation in Design Education

In most competitive institutions for higher education, course or module evaluation forms an important and integral part of the educational system. A key aspect of this evaluation exercise focuses on Student Evaluation of Faculty (SEF). Methods and tools for SEF include reflective evaluation, teacher journals, teaching portfolios, etc. This paper explores the use of pro-active evaluation techniques to provide a more indepth and accurate way of assessing specific design courses, complementary to the quantitative performance score exercise. Proactive evaluation techniques are based upon the story telling principle and introduce carriers, such as Instant Messaging, Blogging and SMS.
Shock Acceleration of Electrons and Synchrotron Emission from the Dynamical Ejecta of Neutron Star Mergers

Neutron star mergers (NSMs) eject energetic subrelativistic dynamical ejecta into circumbinary media. Analogous to supernovae and supernova remnants, the NSM dynamical ejecta are expected to produce nonthermal emission by electrons accelerated at a shock wave. In this paper, we present the expected radio and X-ray signals by this mechanism, taking into account nonlinear diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) and magnetic field amplification. We suggest that the NSM is unique as a DSA site, where the seed relativistic electrons are abundantly provided by the decays of r-process elements. The signal is predicted to peak at a few 100–1000 days after the merger, determined by the balance between the decrease of the number of seed electrons and the increase of the dissipated kinetic energy, due to the shock expansion. While the resulting flux can ideally reach the maximum flux expected from near-equipartition, the available kinetic energy dissipation rate of the NSM ejecta limits the detectability of such a signal. It is likely that the radio and X-ray emission are overwhelmed by other mechanisms (e.g., an off-axis jet) for an observer placed in a jet direction (i.e., for GW170817). However, for an off-axis observer, to be discovered once a number of NSMs are identified, the dynamical ejecta component is predicted to dominate the nonthermal emission. While the detection of this signal is challenging even with near-future facilities, this potentially provides a robust probe of the creation of r-process elements in NSMs.
Science teachers’ ICT use from a viewpoint of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK

In order to develop science teachers’ Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK), a better understanding of how teachers use ICT in classroom practice is needed. This paper examines Finnish chemistry teachers, knowledge, skills and beliefs on using ICT in education in comparison to other science teachers. The study shows that chemistry teachers have positive beliefs of using ICT and computers as a tool for teaching and learning. Teachers’ earlier training in the use of ICT had increased their beliefs towards using ICT. The study shows that, in general, teachers have a good basic ICT skills, but lack skills to integrate ICT into education, due to a lack of technological content knowledge (TCK) and technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK). The results show that teachers especially lack knowledge on subject-specific software, such as modelling software. The results suggest that chemistry teachers need more ICT-training from the viewpoint of TPK and TCK in order to help them get ideas and materials that can be directly applied to classroom practice, and to acquire experience to develop their own TPCK. The results give implications on how science teachers’ in-service training can be developed.
The Impacts of Family Size on Investment in Child Quality

Using multiple births as an exogenous shift in family size, I investigate the impact of the number of children on child investment and child well-being. Using data from the 1980 US Census Five-Percent Public Use Micro Sample, 2SLS results demonstrate that parents facing a change in family size reallocate resources in a way consistent with Becker’s Quantity & Quality model. A larger family generated by twins in a later birth reduces the likelihood that older children attend private school, reduces the mother’s labor force participation, and increases the likelihood that parents divorce. The impact of family size on a measure of child outcome, such as grade retention, is less clear. The results indicate that for both measures of child investment and child well-being, the 2SLS estimates are statistically distinguishable from OLS estimates, indicating an omitted variables bias in the single equation model.
Spatial scale and environmental determinants in minke whale habitat use and foraging

Because pelagic prey concentrations are patchy in both space and time, predators such as marine mammals require high degrees of flexibility in their habitat use. We tested the hypothesis that minke whales Balaenoptera acutorostrata adjust their habitat use during the feed- ing season at different spatial scales: their overall distribution should be determined by broad- scale oceanographic features, while foraging activity at finer scales should be dictated by short- term changes in habitat conditions. Results from generalized additive models indicate that minke whale distribution off the west coast of Scotland is dependent largely on temporally variable para- meters (sea surface temperature in spring, chlorophyll concentration in autumn), in addition to depth and topography. However, fine-scale foraging behaviour was dictated by the strength and direction of tidal currents. Seasonal distribution patterns according to environmental parameters were largely consistent between 2 different spatial scales, and over a time period of 15 yr. Signif- icantly higher sighting rates occurred in areas of predicted sandeel Ammodytes marinus presence in spring, but not during the rest of the summer, while in August and September, prey samples from the core study area consisted almost entirely of sprat Sprattus sprattus. The low energetic cost of swimming in minke whales and their ability to switch between different prey according to their seasonal availability thus appears to allow them to readily respond to temporal changes in pelagic prey concentrations at different scales. This occurs through a distribution influenced by temporally variable parameters (temperature and chlorophyll concentration), combined with adjustments in foraging activity dependent on variable conditions at fine spatial scales (tides).