Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A noise tolerant and schema-agnostic blocking technique for entity resolution

The increasing use of Web systems has become a valuable source of semi-structured data. In this context, the Entity Resolution (ER) task emerges as a fundamental step to integrate multiple knowledge bases or identify similarities between the data items (i.e., entities). Usually, blocking techniques are widely applied as an initial step of ER approaches in order to avoid computing similarities between all pairs of entities (quadratic cost). In practice, heterogeneous and noisy data increase the difficulties faced by blocking techniques, since these issues directly interfere the block generation. To address these challenges, we propose the NA-BLOCKER technique, which is capable of tolerating noisy data to extract information regarding the data schema and generate high-quality blocks. NA-BLOCKER applies Locality Sensitive Hashing (LSH) to hash the attribute values of entities and enable the generation of high-quality blocks, even with the presence of noise in the attribute values. In our experimental evaluation, we use five real-world datasets, and highlight that NA-BLOCKER presents better results regarding effectiveness compared to the state-of-the-art technique. In terms of efficiency, NA-BLOCKER produces, on average, 34% less comparisons. However, due to the cost introduced by LSH, it results in an increase of the execution time at around 30%, on average.
Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by traditional users in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, India

The study of ethno botanical was carried out along with the ethnic groups (Villupuram district) in the South Western Ghats of India. In the present study, 46 plant species belonging to 31 families were included. In this assertion, the information collected from the traditional healers was used to compare with the already accessible literature on the ethnobotany of India. The conventional ethno medicinal plants were mostly used for fever, dysentery, skin diseases, poison bites, wounds, piles and rheumatism. The medicinal plants used by traditional users of Villupuram district are arranged alphabetically followed by botanical name, family name, local name and major chemical constituents, parts used, mode of preparation and medicinal uses. Key words: Medicinal plants, traditional healers, chemical constituents
Kastner, Elisabeth and Kaur, Randip and Lowry, Deborah and Moghaddam, Behfar and Wilkinson, Alexander and Perrie, Yvonne (2014) High-throughput manufacturing of size-tuned liposomes by a new microfluidics method using enhanced statistical tools

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Evolutionary Learning of Concepts

Concept learning is a kind of classification task that has interesting practical applications in several areas. In this paper, a new evolutionary concept learning algorithm is proposed and a corresponding learning system, called ECL (Evolutionary Concept Learner), is implemented. This system is compared to three traditional learning systems: MLP (Multilayer Perceptron), ID3 (Iterative Dichotomiser) and NB (Naive Bayes). The comparison takes into account target concepts of varying complexities (e.g., with interacting attributes) and different qualities of training sets (e.g., with imbalanced classes and noisy class labels). The comparison results show that, although no single system is the best in all situations, the proposed system ECL has a very good overall performance.
MODELLING STEEP SURFACES BY VARIOUS CONFIGURATIONS OF NADIR AND OBLIQUE PHOTOGRAMMETRY

Abstract. Among the parts of the territory requiring periodical and careful monitoring, many have steep surfaces: quarries, river basins, land-slides, dangerous mountainsides. Aerial photogrammetry based on lightweight unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) is rapidly becoming the tool of election to survey limited areas of land with a high level of detail. Aerial photogrammetry is traditionally based on vertical images and only recently the use of significantly inclined imagery has been considered. Oblique photogrammetry presents peculiar aspects and offers improved capabilities for steep surface reconstruction. Full comprehension of oblique photogrammetry still requires research efforts and the evaluation of diverse case studies. In the present paper, the focus is on the photogrammetric UAS-based survey of a part of a large sandpit. Various flight configurations are considered: ordinary linear strips, radial strips (as the scarp considered has a semi-circular shape) and curved ones; moreover, nadir looking and oblique image blocks were acquired. Around 300 control points were measured with a topographic total station. The various datasets considered are evaluated in terms of density of the extracted point cloud and in terms of the distance between the reconstructed surface and a number of check points.
Steps toward interstellar silicate mineralogy - VII. Spectral properties and crystallization behaviour of magnesium silicates produced by the sol-gel method

Amorphous silicate particles are generally assumed to be the main dust component in the envelopes of oxygen-rich evolved stars and may be considered the precursors of the pure crystalline enstatite and forsterite particles detected by ISO. We present optical constants in the broad wavelength range 0.2-500 µm for a unique series of pure amorphous Mg-silicates (Mg/Si in the range 0.7-2.4). They have been prepared by the sol-gel process, a chemical technique based on the condensation of Mg- and Si-hydroxides in a liquid phase. The salient feature of these Mg-silicates is the very small content of Si-OH bonds in the silicate network, which considerably reduces the activation energy of crystallization and, thus, decreases the temperature threshold for crystallization as well as crystallization time. The astrophysical relevance of our sol-gel silicates is shown by a comparison of optically thin model spectra based on dust emissivities with ISO-SWS spectra of AGB stars and with 10 µm emission profiles of such stars obtained by ground-based spectroscopy. As paradigmatic cases of AGB spectra with respect to the appearance of the silicate bands, TY Dra (slender bands and deep trough between them) and R Cas (broad bands and widely filled-up trough) were used, for which ISO-SWS spectra are available. The dust emissivity derived from TY Dra can be excel- lently reproduced by the models, suggesting that the dust grains consist indeed of pure amorphous Mg-silicates. Satisfactory agreement was also found with the mean 10 µm profiles of some groups of AGB stars and supergiants. Spectra with strong dust emission in the silicate trough like R Cas require additional contributions by other dust components, probably oxides. A rough orientation on the spectral properties of such potential trough opacity contributors has been obtained by subtracting a pure silicate spectrum (TY Dra) from a spectrum with a nearly filled trough and a less pronounced 20 µm band (R Cas). In agreement with other amorphous silicates, the spectral index of the new silicate analogues amounts to −2.
A Multidimensional Unfolding Latent Trait Model for Binary Data

We introduce a multidimensional latent trait model for binary data with non-monotone item response functions. We assume that the conditional probability of endorsing an item is a normal probability density function, and that the latent traits are normally distributed. The model yields closed form expressions for the moments of the multivariate Bernoulli (MVB) distribution. As a result, cell probabilities can be computed also in closed form, regardless of the dimensionality of the latent traits. The model is an ideal point model in the sense that a respondent - precisely at the ideal point (the mode of the item response function) - endorses the item with probability one.
Modelling asymmetric consumer demand response: Evidence from scanner data

We used scanner data to test whether two competitive commodities respond symmetrically by volume to price changes. Our results indicate that consumers of the most expensive good (Coca-Cola) respond quite symmetrically when prices go either up or down. In contrast, consumers of the less expensive good (Pepsi-Cola) respond quite asymmetrically. We also introduce the substitution effect in ARDL asymmetric modelling as scanner data permits, showing that most previous asymmetric models using this technique experience omitted variables since this parameter is excluded.
Controlling for Multilateral Resistance Terms in Linearized Trade Gravity Equations Without Spatial Econometrics

This paper studies linearized spatial structural gravity models of bilateral trade a la Behrens, Ertur and Koch (2012). We show that these models do in fact not require spatial econometric methods for estimation. This result follows from the nature of the specific spatial weights matrix, and from the exporter- or importer-specific nature of some regressors and the approximation error. All structural model parameters are identified from a linear regression that uses a spatial lag of the dependent variable as a control function.
Analytical Approximation for the Price Dynamics of Spark Spread Options

This paper presents an analytic approximation for the pricing dynamics of spark spread options in terms of Fourier transforms. We propose to model the spark spread, that is, the price difference of electricity and gas, directly using a mean-reverting model with diffusion and jumps. The model is analyzed empirically, and shown to fit observed data in the UK reasonably well. The main advantage with the model is that the spark spread of electricity and gas forwards, being forwards with delivery over periods, can be priced analytically. The price dynamics for different spark spread options with electricity and gas forwards as underlying, is analytically derived through Fourier transforms. These pricing expressions allow for efficient numerical valuations via the fast Fourier transform technique.
Space Time Adaptive Processing for Radio Frequency Identification Smart Antenna Systems

Smart antenna has been recognized as a promising technology to improve wireless communications. Interference suppression, power consumption reduction and high data rates support are some of its advantages. Radio frequency identification (RFID) demands power efficiency, better reading ranges, tracking tag signals and interference mitigation. In this paper, a smart antenna processing for RFID systems is implemented. Space Time adaptive processing (STAP) with digital down converters, IQ beamformer and complex least mean square (LMS) algorithm has been designed and validated on Xilinx z7020 field programmable gate array (FPGA) platform. The system exhibits good performance in term of bit error rate (BER) when signal to noise plus interference ratio (SNIR) is over 1 dB with signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 7 dB environments.
A multi‐instrument study of a Jovian magnetospheric disturbance

Using observations from different Galileo experiments (plasma wave system, magnetometer and energetic particle detector), we analyze a strong magnetospheric disturbance that occurs on day 311 of 1996 as Galileo was close to Jupiter (less than 15 Jovian radii). This perturbation is characterized by multiple injections of energetic particles in the inner magnetosphere and has been described as a possible analog of the terrestrial magnetic storm by Mauk et al. [1999]. We show here that it also corresponds to a large-scale magnetospheric perturbation similar to the “energetic events” described by Louarn et al., [1998, 2000]. It is associated with the development of a particular magnetic activity in the outermost part of the Io torus, over periods of 2–4 hours and in sectors of longitude with a typical 30°–80° longitudinal extension. At distances ranging from 10 to 13 Rj, the activity itself is characterized by the generation of low-frequency magnetic oscillations (18 min periodicity in the present case) that correlate with dispersionless energetic electron injections and modulations of the auroral radio flux. When they are observed a few hours after their formation, these injections present a weak energy-time dispersion and are still periodic. They then progressively mix and finally define a region of limited longitudinal extension where the density of energetic particles is particularly large. We show that this region corresponds to the source of the narrowband kilometric radiation (n-KOM). By combining remote sensing radio observations, in situ particle, and magnetic field measurements, we show that the active zone where the large scale disturbance initially develops most probably does not corotate and would even be almost fixed in local time. In the present case, the magnetospheric event is the consequence of two activations separated by a few hours. They occur in two separated longitude sectors and give rise to two different n-KOM sources. During the event, some 1012 W are transferred to the electron population. It is proposed that this set of phenomena is the manifestation of a sporadic dissipation of a part of the Io torus rotational energy and would be thus associated with the development of a large-scale instability in the external part of the Io torus.
INVASIVE LEUKEMIA SCREENING

Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) has been applied as analytical tool in numerous field of study due to its ability in non-invasive application. NIRS with the ability in providing the information on biological molecules shows a high potential as a diagnosis tool in medical as diseased related to biochemistry changes of the cell and tissue. This paper reviewed the application of NIR spectroscopy in leukemia screening and in other medical application. General comparison between invasive and non-invasive NIR spectroscopy method is provided. The author also proposed a new non-invasive NIRS method in leukemia screening and compared it with the previous invasive NIRS method.
"My Voice Needs to Be Heard": Cultural Challengers in the Regulatory Arena

This article proposes the concept of cultural challengers, viewers whose dissatisfaction with popular culture prompts them to initiate a dialogue with media organizations. The article explores the textual dimensions that may cause such discontent and identifies three tracks for conducting the dialogue: civic, economic, and regulatory. The regulatory track is explored through three methodologies: a quantitative content analysis of 817 complaints filed to the Israeli regulatory authority (SATR) between 2005 and 2010, and of the SATR’s responses to them; participatory observation within the SATR; and an online survey of 58 viewers who had filed a complaint with the SATR. The article highlights the differing stances of the regulator and the cultural challengers and analyzes the social and cultural implications of the dialogue.
Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) from commercial early dwarf clones.

Fruit antioxidant activity is related to compounds such as vitamins and phenolics, which play an effective role on free radical scavenging. Such activity varies among species and cultivars. The aim of this work was to evaluate and quantify antioxidant compounds on cashew apples from different early dwarf clones. The following analyses were done: vitamin C, total carotenoids, total anthocyanins, yellow flavonoids, total extractable phenolics, and total antioxidant activity. The cashew apples were harvested at the Pacajus Experimental Station from Embrapa Tropical Agroindustry, CE, Brazil. Regarding vitamin C and total carotenoids ‘BRS 189’, cashew apples presented the highest contents, with values of 270.03 and 0.93 mg/100 g, respectively; however, the vitamin C content were not statistically different from ‘BRS Bahia 12’ (254.34 mg/100 g). The highest values of total anthocyanin and yellow flavonoids were found in cashew apples from ‘BRS 189’ and ‘CCP 1001’ clones, which had 23.42 mg/100 g for total anthocyanins and 75.19 mg/100g for yellow flavonoids. Total phenolics presented the greatest variability amongst samples, with values ranging from 99.53 to 236.97 mg/100 g. The same was observed for antioxidant activity, which fluctuated from 6.84 to 34.35 µM Trolox/g of apple pulp.
Complementarity and duality relations for finite-dimensional systems

We generalize to systems with arbitrary finite dimension a measure of quantum fluctuations (the certainty) previously introduced for two-dimensional systems. Using this measure, we study the duality relations satisfied by complementary observables looking for states with minimum joint fluctuations (maximum certainty states). We extend the duality relations to encompass several complementary observables simultaneously.
Comparison Study of Methodologies for Estimating the Long-run Exchange Rate Pass-Through to Import Prices for South Africa

The resilience of trade balances of the major industrialised economies such as the US and Japan to changes in their exchange rates following the switch from fixed to floating exchange rate regimes, triggered interest in the exchange rate pass-through relationship. Because of the importance of the pass-through issue particularly in economic policy formulation, a sizeable literature has developed over recent years. Comprehensive surveys of this literature include Menon (1995), Goldberg and Knetter (1997) and McCarthy (2002). However, not much attention has been paid to the comparison of the methodologies for estimating exchange rate pass-through. This research report aims to address this imbalance by comparing some of the exchange rate pass-through estimation methodologies via a Monte Carlo simulation study, based on the South African data set. The econometric results reported in this research report suggest that the Johansen type VECMs are superior to polynomial distributed lag models, exchange rate pass-through to South Africa’s import prices is incomplete (around 78%) and that the speed of adjustment to long-run equilibrium is low, about 7 per cent of disequilibrium in the previous month is corrected in the current month. We conclude that if we are not sure about the unit root properties of the data (as is normally the case), then the ARDL precedure is the appropriate model for empirical work.
Biased group decision-making and the effect of computer-mediated communication: separating the effects of anonymity, voting and blind picking

The influence of communication technology on group decisionmaking has been examined in many studies. But the findings are inconsistent. Some studies showed a positive effect on decision quality, other studies have shown that communication technology makes the decision even worse. One possible explanation for these different findings could be the use of different Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS) in these studies, with some GDSS better fitting to the given task than others and with different sets of functions. This paper outlines an approach with an information system solely designed to examine the effect of (1) anonymity, (2) voting and (3) blind picking on decision quality, discussion quality and perceived quality of information.
The effect of the ‘Bee Gym™’ grooming device on Varroa destructor mite fall from honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies

Grooming is a honey bee behavior that has the potential to minimize and manage the detrimental effects of Varroa destructor. Here we tested the efficacy of the Bee Gym™, a device hypothesized to increase honey bee auto-grooming and increase mite removal from colonies. Natural mite fall from 20 colonies was counted for 14 days, after which half the colonies were fitted with a Bee Gym and half with a control object. Mite fall and the proportion of damaged mites were then recorded for another 14 days. Total mite fall was generally higher over the second 14 days, but this increase was not significantly higher for the Bee Gym colonies than for the control colonies. There was also no difference in the proportion of damaged mites between the two treatments. Mite fall and damage to mites may be influenced by other factors, and this is discussed; however, given that we found no effect of the Bee Gym, we conclude that there is no evidence from this study of its efficacy as a management strategy for V. destructor.
Impacts of non-point source sewage pollution on Elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata (Lamarck), assemblages of the southwestern Puerto Rico shelf

Non-point source sewage pollution represents a major threat to coral reefs. Impacts are typically associated with chronic eutrophication, water turbidity, and microbes potentially pathogenic to corals. Sewage pollution can produce variable system- and species-specific responses, as well as cascading direct and indirect effects, that could result in major long-term phase shifts in coral reef benthic community structure. This study was aimed at characterizing the ecological condition of eight shallow-water (<5 m) Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) assemblages located across a non-point source sewage pollution gradient along the southwestern Puerto Rico shelf. Non-point source pollution was a key stressor structuring local coral reef communities. Long- term phase shifts have favored dominance by macroalgae and non reef-building taxa at inshore locations under chronic pollution. Non reef-building taxa correlated with fecal pollution indicators. Acropora palmata and crustose coralline algae (CCA) are dominant at offshore remote reefs. Coral reef degradation is already beyond the point of recovery at most inshore habitats. Coral reef communities within local Marine Protected Areas were also undergoing significant degradation as a result of variable impacts, including non-point source sewage pollution. There is a paramount need to implement adequate management measures to prevent further water quality degradation across the region.
Dynamic and control analysis of a smart rotor by combining the ansys and matlab software

This text describes the development of an efficient approach to the analysis of the dynamics of a rotor with a structure that contains active elements. Since the Ansys software, according to our experience, has limitations in the area of rotor dynamics and due to the fact that the use of control algorithms is difficult to implement in Ansys, a new analysis approach to the study of smart rotors has been created and verified. After the generation of the geometry and building the model in Ansys, the finite-element model matrices are imported into Matlab. The space state model is created next so that the reliable control software available in Matlab can be used. The verification of this analysis method has been done by comparison with the results obtained using an analytical model of a smart Jeffcott rotor with and without control.
An Empirical Study on the Impact of Supply Chain Practices on Competitive Position of MNEs in Malaysia

Effective supply chains provide opportunities to create sustainable competitive advantage and enhance the competitive position of companies. This paper attempts to study the impact of supply chain practices on competitive position of a company. This research surveyed senior managers in various MNEs in Malaysia. The results show that efforts in: (1) improving customer satisfaction, (2) selecting the right suppliers, (3) improving the efficiency of operations and (4) implementing the right quality practices have significant impact on the competitive position of the company.