Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the properties of the intensity-curvature measurement approaches: the classic-curvature and the intensity-curvature functional

Objective: This paper expands on the basis of previous research confirming through empirical evidence both meaning and natureof the classic-curvature and the intensity-curvature functional images. Methods: Eleven subjects affected by human brain tumors were scanned using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). TwodimensionalMRI images were selected to study the subjects using the intensity-curvature measurement approaches called:classic-curvature and intensity-curvature functional. The bivariate cubic polynomial and the bivariate linear function were fittedto the MRI images in order to compute the classic-curvature and the intensity-curvature functional respectively. Results: This work shows one novelty related to the use of the two intensity-curvature measurement approaches when furtheringthe study of tumors detected with MRI. The novelty is the highlight of the accumulation of the contrast agent through the visuallyperceptible third dimension perpendicular to the imaging plane. Conclusions: The meaning and the nature of the aforementioned intensity-curvature measurement approaches is the capability tofilter the MRI.
Reinforcement learning and its application to Othello

In this article we describe reinforcement learning, a machine learning technique for solving sequential decision problems. We describe how reinforcement learning can be combined with function approximation to get approximate solutions for problems with very large state spaces. One such problem is the board game Othello, with a state space size of approximately 1028. We apply reinforcement learning to this problem via a computer program that learns a strategy (or policy) for Othello by playing against itself. The reinforcement learning policy is evaluated against two standard strategies taken from the literature with favorable results. We contrast reinforcement learning with standard methods for solving sequential decision problems and give some examples of applications of reinforcement learning in operations research and management science from the literature.
The Need for Pedagogical Change in Online Adult Learning: A Distance Education Case in a Traditional University

Bilgi caginin bir gereksinimi olarak calisan veya herhangi bir sebepten dolayi geleneksel egitim kurumlarindan uzak olan bireylerin ihtiyac duydugu guncel iletisim teknolojilerinde meydana gelen gelismeler her ne kadar egitimcilere firsatlar sunmakta olsada, bu teknolojilerin ogrenme ve ogretmen faaliyetlerinde nasil kullanilmasi gerektigi, uygun pedagojik yaklasimlarin neler olabiliecegi cevaplanmasi gereken bir sorun olarak beklemektedir. Bu calisma, verilen sebeplerden dolayi, ozellikle uzaktan egitim faaliyetlerinde pedagojik dinamiklerin neler olabilecegini yetiskin ogrencilerin tecrubeleri ile incelemek uzere yurutulmustur. Bu baglamda, ogrencilerin uzaktan egitimde ogrenme uzerine genel goruslerinin yani sira hangi unsurlarin onemli oldugu tartisilmistir. Katilimcilara gore basarili bir uzaktan egitim faaliyeti icin pedagojik bir planlamanin ve bu planin hayata gecirilmesi ile ilgili bir takim stratejilerin dikkate alinmasi gerekmektedir. Bunlardan en onemlileri, ogretim oncesi iyi bir pedagojik planlama (tasarimin) yapilmasi, ogretim faaliyetinde bulunan ogretmen ve ogrencilerin sistem icerisinde var olduklarini hissettirmeleri, ve ogrencilerin ogrenmeleri ile ilgili bir geri beslemeye dikkat edilmesi geregi vurgulanmistir
Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Studies of Some Triazolothiadiazines and Triazolothiadiazoles Containing 6‐Chloropyridin‐3‐yl Methyl Moiety.

4-Amino-5-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl methyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazolc-3-thiol has been synthesized and was converted into 3-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl methyl)-6-(4-substituted-phenyl)-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazines and (6-chloropyridin-3-yl-methyl)-6-(4-substituted-phenyl)-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazoles. The newly synthesized compounds are characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, 1 H NMR and mass spectral data. Some of the compounds are screened for their antibacterial and insecticidal activities.
Why so Much Centralization? A Model of Primitive Centripetal Accumulation

With strong conceptual arguments in its favor, decentralization is a popular and growing policy trend across the world. And yet dozens of empirical studies have failed to find convincing evidence that past reforms have worked. This begs two questions: (1) Why does decentralization produce indifferent results? and (2) Why is there so much centralization in the first place? The paper develops a simple model of a legislature in which municipal representatives bargain with central government agents over the allocation of public resources. By locating central government in a particular geographic space - the "capital" - and invoking self-interest on the part of its residents, I can answer both questions. I introduce the concept of residual power, which underpins the model and determines the flow of resources to districts. There is so much centralization because residual power is located in the capital, whose residents directly benefit from weak local governments.
ImparApp: Italian language learning with MIT’s TaleBlazer mobile app

Recent developments in mobile technologies have increased the ways in which languages can be learnt, both within and beyond the classroom. Whereas the use of mobile technologies seems to challenge traditional knowledge and skills acquisition, research shows that foreign language study can be enriched through easy access to resources selected to suit individual interests or needs (KukulskaHulme, 2013). This chapter reports on an Italian language learning game, ImparApp, developed with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) TaleBlazer location-based game-authoring tool. Players interact with virtual characters, objects, and data as they move around their real physical location whilst attempting to solve a time travel mystery. This chapter presents data collected through a case study of how learning a language can take place beyond the traditional classroom in new and challenging ways. The chapter summarises the way learning activities were integrated into the app and discusses how the learning challenges were designed across the scenes, episodes and settings. It also presents data collected from the ‘play-test’ sessions and discusses initial findings of the pilot project.
Seismic characterization of fractured reservoirs by focusing Gaussian beams

ABSTRACTNaturally fractured reservoirs occur worldwide, and they account for the bulk of global oil production. The most important impact of fractures is their influence on fluid flow. To maximize oil production, the characterization of a fractured reservoir at the scale of an oil field is very important. For fluid transport, the critical parameters are connectivity and transmittivity plus orientation. These can be related to fracture spacing, compliance, and orientation, which are the critical seismic parameters of rock physics models. We discovered a new seismic technique that can invert for the spatially dependent fracture orientation, spacing, and compliance, using surface seismic data. Unlike most seismic methods that rely on using singly scattered/diffracted waves whose signal-to-noise ratios are usually very low, we found that waves multiply scattered by fractures can be energetic. The direction information of the fracture multiply scattered waves contains fracture orientation and spacing informati.
Designing contingent valuation scenarios for environmental health: The case of childhood asthma

Valuation of morbidity associated with childhood asthma is signi…cant both to policy and to non-market valuation methodologies. Our results show that household perceptions and beliefs, such as belief in one’s ability to predict and control asthma attacks, and relative perceptions of the overall burden asthma places on a family, have a larger impact on valuation than traditional measures of asthma severity. More generally, our approach can be applied to other chronic illnesses as well, such as diabetes or chronic pain.
Therapeutic efficacy of oral rehydration solution administered by two different methods in neonatal diarrhoeic calves

The clinical trial was conducted in 16 neonatal diarrhoeic calves suffering from mild degree of dehydration and these calves were divided into two equal groups consisting of 8 in each. The therapeutic efficacy of oral rehydration solution (ORS) administered by two different methods (i.e. group I was treated by voluntarily administration of oral rehydration solution and group II was treated by administration of oral rehydration solution through naso-gastric tube) was assessed. The efficacy was judged on the basis of restoration of clinical appraisal, haemato-biochemicals and electrolytes changes between group I and II. The results showed that there was no difference in respect of rate of recovery of above parameters in two different groups treated with oral rehydration solution administered through two different methods.
The Provision of Local Public Services in a Risky Environment: An Application to Crime

We state efficiency conditions for the provision of congestable local public goods that diminish individual-specific proprietary risks. The optimum level of such a public service is determined by equating the sum of the reductions of the expected property losses due to a better service level with the marginal costs of the service. The optimum size of the providing local authority in terms of population is obtained where the increase in proprietary risks due to congestion meets the decrease in contributions for the original citizens. As an empirical example, we employ Germany? s crime statistic in order to assess the efficiency of the provision of police services at the state level.
An Inquiry into Inquiry: (How) Can We Learn from Other Times and Places?

Deciding on a topic for a presidential address provides one with a unique opportunity to consider how one’s life has been spent, at least in its academic manifestations, and to see how, and indeed whether, one’s past work fits together. Surveying my own opus, with work on creativity, critical thinking, argumentation, arts education, and theatre, I could be led to the conclusion that it has consisted in an eclectic collection of topics and issues, held together only by the fact of its authorship. Yet upon closer scrutiny, I do detect a theme that unifies this seemingly diverse collection of inquiries: the theme is that of inquiry itself. I have been exploring what it means to have good (well justified) ideas and practices, and how we come up with new and better ones.
Significance of Security Metrics in Secure Software Development

With increasing advancement of technology in the past years rise various security issues and problems. In this connected world, security is a paramount and challenging issue in software development and is the demand of time. However usually engineers/developers think about it after the development of the entire software and at that it’s too late. Though, the software developers are aware of the importance of security and its priority throughout software development life cycle. Considering the security challenging issues right from the early stages of software development and incorporating it during software development indicates good research and development. When the metrics considered during software development process from the initial stage then it assess the security risks more efficiently. One of the best known approaches to develop security metrics is Goal/Question/Metric (GQM) approach that assesses the security risks in various stages of software development process. Software security can be measured with the help of metrics derived from the source available. The main aim of this paper is to focus on numerous security metrics of software development phases and some standardized criteria is used for validation. Each and every phase have different metrics as compared to other. Those metrics are defined on the bases of their results and products. The final product derived from the proposed security metrics of the software will be secure and qualified. General Terms Security, software development phases, validation.
Social support received by the family of older patients in emergency department : A cross-sectional study

Poor social support provided within health care settings may reduce patients’ ability to manage disease. The presence of family members in emergency department (ED) may reduce the patient’s need for health care and social services utilization. The aim of the study was to describe the social support received by family in the ED. A cross-sectional empirical study design was used. Convenience sample of 111 family members of home discharged older patients and of 93 nurses were recruited. The study was conducted at four Estonian hospitals. Data were collected by using social support scale of the Family Functioning, Health and Social Support (FAFHES). Family members and nurses both considered the social support available in EDs to be moderate. Nurses believed they provided higher levels of social support than the family members stated the family received. The differences were statistically significant. The older a nurse was, the less reinforcement, feedback, and affecting others for finding solutions was offered. A greater number of nurses working in the ED resulted in less social support. This study found differences of views between family members of older patients and nurses regarding the level of social support of the family. Nursing care provided in ED should be developed to be more supportive. To ensure more family-centred approach when providing nursing care, the administrative staff needs to consider whether an adequate number of nurses are working in the ED. The social support scale used was found to be applicable in ED environments.
Comparative study of total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity of conventionally and organically grown herbs

Th e aim of the present study was to measure the relative phenolic content in commonly available conventionally and organically grown herbs and to evaluate their antioxidant capacity. Sage ( Salvia offi cinalis), lemon balm ( Melissa offi cinalis) and peppermint (Mentha x piperita) leaves, corriander (Corriandrum sativum) and fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare) seeds were used in the present investigation. Total phenolic content (TPhC), measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method, and radical scavenging activity (RSA), using DPPH method were determined in infusions prepared from above mentioned herbs. TPhC ranged from 75.9 to 1126.5 gallic acid equivalents (GAE) mg/l infusion and RSA - from 7.03 to 91.65%. Th e obtained data also showed that infusions prepared from organically grown sage, peppermint and lemon balm were slightly higher than those obtained from conventionally grown herbs.
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE SAARLAND UNIVERSITY SAARBRÜCKEN Efficient r-Symmetry Detection for Triangle Meshes

In their paper [2012], Kalojanov et al. introduce a theoretical model for shape decomposition into microtiles building blocks derived by a set of correspondences that define an equivalence relation on the surface points of a given model. The authors also showed that for a specific correspondence functions (rigid r-neighborhood matching) the set of microtiles characterizes all shapes r-similar to a given exemplar. Here, we address the problem of computing a microtile decomposition and show how to efficiently detect r-symmetric of points on triangle meshes. We first demonstrate that a microtile decomposition w.r. t. rigid r-symmetry is computable. Afterwards, we introduce an efficient method for computing microtiles, which permits such involved analysis to be used in variety of geometry processing applications.
Mathematik Calibrations and T-duality

For a subclass of Hitchin’s generalised geometries we introduce and analyse the concept of a structured submanifold which encapsulates the classical notion of a calibrated submanifold. Under a suitable integrability condition on the ambient geometry, these generalised calibrated submanifolds minimise a functional occurring as D–brane energy in type II string theories. Further, we investigate the behaviour of calibrated cycles under T–duality and construct non–trivial examples.
Development of spherical ultrasonic motor for space. Evaluations of durability under low temperature environment and temperature cycle

The purpose of this research is to replace thrusters (space components) used in space with spherical ultrasonic motors (SUSMs). If developing multiple thrusters with SUSMs, we will be able to save weight and as a result, downsize an artificial satellite. We successfully conducted a durability test of the SUSM under atmospheric pressure at high temperature in the prior research [1, 2]. In this research, we conduct a durability test of the SUSM at low temperature, and additionally, an experiment of temperature cycle repeating high temperature and low temperature. We conducted the durability experiment at –80°C in the low temperature environment, and achieved the accumulated driving hours more than 60 minutes as keeping the SUSM performance.
The Changing Nature of the Comprehensive Assessment as the Culminating Experience for the Acquisition of the Master's Degree. IR Applications. Volume 8.

There was a time when virtually all students pursuing the master’s degree were required to submit to and successfully complete comprehensive examinations, most of which featured both written and oral elements. In this more traditional period, the acquisition of the master’s degree was in large part a qualifying ritual for admission to a Ph.D. program which, in turn, assumed a subsequent professional life in the academy. With the gradual shift in the character of the degree from the purely academic to the at least quasi-professional, alternative approaches to evaluating student performance are emerging as exit requirements for the master’s degree. This paper reports the results of a survey, featuring both quantitative and qualitative components, designed to investigate the status of the traditional comprehensive examination, as well as the nature and distribution of alternative assessment methods.
Persistence of Earnings after IFRS Adoption in Banking Companies Listed on Indonesian Stock Exchange

The aim of the study is to investigate whether adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) enhances persistence of earnings in the banking sector. We choose 2010 as the central cutoff date before and after adopting IFRS. This study measures persistence of earnings using simple regression analysis and shows that profit regression coefficients after IFRS adoption seem to improve persistence of earnings. We indicate that profit quality after implementing IFRS is higher than before. However, the actual profit generated by companies after implementing IFRS seems to be less than the profit of companies which do not implement IFRS. Thus, the question should be carefully considered by investors.
The effect of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on some antioxidant enzymes in kidneys of the second cross offsprings mice*

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a systemic herbicide used to control a wide variety of broad-leaved weeds in agriculture. But, several studies have been suggested that 2,4-D is a carcinogenic, mutagenic, clastogenic and neurotoxic agent. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 2,4-D on some kidney antioxidant enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) in the second cross offsprings (Mus musculus). Female mice were divided into two equal groups: 2,4-D group and ethanol control group. Two the chemicals used were applied intraperitoneally. 2,4-D was administrated to maternal mice as a 1/100 dilution of 338 mg/kg body weight (LD30) in 3 day intervals. In the control group it was administrated by similar way. Same processes were repeated over two generations. Spectrophotometric method was used to determine the activities of enzymes in the kidney of the second cross offsprings. The activity of CAT was found to be significantly lower in 2,4-D group compared to control ethanol group (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the SOD and GSH-Px activities between the 2,4-D and control groups. The results obtained suggest that the CAT activity of kidney in the second cross offsprings was affected from 2,4-D toxicity.
ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING RURAL LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION MONG RURAL DWELLERS IN ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This study analyzed the environmental factors affecting rural livelihood diversification in Adamawa State, Nigeria. The data used for the analysis were generated from 360 respondents, using multi-stage random sampling procedure. The analytical tools used were descriptive (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (Tobit regression). The descriptive statistics were used in categorizing the respondents on the basis of their socio-economic characteristics. Tobit regression was employed to determine the environmental factors affecting livelihood diversification. The major findings were that: the frequency of natural disasters (X1) and season of the year (X5) were positive and significant for livelihood diversification at 5% level of significance. The number of natural resources (X3) available in an environment was positive and significant for livelihood diversification at 1% level of significance. The distance between state headquarters, local government headquarters and major towns (X2) and where a respondent lives was found to be not significant. Similarly, distance between markets (X4) and where a respondent lives was also found to be not significant for livelihood diversification. It was concluded that the number of natural disasters that occur and the number of natural resources available in the study area are strong factors that affect livelihood diversification. It was recommended, among others, that the prevailing environmental factors in a given area should be considered at the planning stages for any rural development or empowerment projects meant for livelihood diversification. Livelihood diversification opportunities should be made available and possible during dry season periods in the study area.