Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Choosing Sampling Interval Durations for Remotely Classifying Rocky Mountain Elk Behavior

Abstract Dual-axis accelerometer global positioning system collars can be used to remotely record the activity level and behavior of free-ranging animals, but inter- and intraspecific variations in motion among behaviors necessitate calibration for each species of interest. To date, little work has been done to determine the best duration for sampling intervals when using activity monitors that incorporate dual-axis accelerometers. However, we expected that the duration of behaviors relative to the duration of sampling intervals could affect the accuracy of calibration and behavior classification models. Furthermore, we considered the potential effect of winter diet supplementation (hay) on behavior classification. We used Lotek 4500 global positioning system collars featuring dual-axis accelerometer activity monitors to collect data for calibration and classification trials on Rocky Mountain elk Cervus elaphus nelsoni. We used discriminant function model structures to determine the number of accurately c.
Growth of Ultralong Ag Nanowires by Electroless Deposition in Hot Ethylene Glycol for Flexible Transparent Conducting Electrodes

High aspect ratio silver (Ag) nanowires with an average length of 25.4 μm and diameter of 102.8 nm were successfully prepared by electroless deposition in hot ethylene glycol (160°C) for 1 h in the presence of PVP. It was found that both PVP concentration and molecular weight significantly influence the morphology and yield of Ag nanowires in solution. Using PVP MW = 55,000, addition of lower amounts of PVP led to formation of large irregularly shaped Ag particles together with a few rod-like structures. Increasing PVP concentration generally resulted in longer and thinner Ag nanowires. On the other hand, low molecular weight PVP produced spherical Ag particles even at high PVP concentration. Ag nanowire flexible transparent conducting electrodes attained a sheet resistance of about 92.5 Ω/sq at an optical transmittance of about 79.6% without any heat treatment. In addition, no significant change in optical and electrical properties was observed after several cycles of bending and adhesion test.
Speaking Out: How Women Create Meaning from the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty

SPEAKING OUT: HOW WOMEN CREATE MEANING FROM THE DOVE CAMPAIGN FOR REAL BEAUTY Valori Infanger Department of Communications Master of Arts The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty could be used to effectively expand the media-narrowed definition of beauty. This study focused on the Onslaught video and corresponding message board. The sample included 119 posts written by 85 different message board users. Both a descriptive and interpretive content analysis based on reception analysis was used to deconstruct the message posters’ interpretation and construction of individual beauty. The posters used the board primarily to express themselves, attach blame to the media and arrive at consensus. Overall, the users responded positively to the campaign. Twenty themes emerged from the posts, with the most prevalent attaching blame to the media for societal problems. The findings of this study suggest that Dove effectively created an online community where women could find a voice to express themselves and share experiences. More importantly, Dove initiated a public discussion that is a preliminary step in changing social norms. As such, the campaign should be viewed as having been
Corporate Yield Spread and Real Activity in Emerging Asia: Evidence of a Financial Accelerator for Korea

This paper investigates the relationship between corporate bond market and real economic activity. A linear model is estimated by using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) indicating that the yield spread of corporate bonds (AA-) relative to government bonds - a proxy of liquidity and default risk, known as external finance premium (EFP) - predicts changes in unemployment rate up to six months in the future. An impulse response analysis based on a multivariate VAR shows that a temporary increase in EFP, leads to a persistent increase in unemployment rate, notably after two to eight months. The response of unemployment rate to monetary policy shock is much lower when channel acting through the EFP is blocked off. This evidence is consistent with an operative balance sheet channel of the monetary transmission mechanism, an important result for policy makers and investors. Consequently an efficient and liquid corporate bond market, achieved through financial integration, is of essential meaning for economic growth in Korea.
Non-Life Insurance Risk Models Under Inflation

In the first part of the paper we present some classical actuarial models (the collective and individual risk model) and the probability theory behind. A discussion of pros and cons of each approach leads to an alternative approach where the losses on each policy is modeled by an individual compound Poisson process. We estimate this model using generalized linear models (GLM). In the second part we introduce a framework for incorporating empirical claim severity inflation in the severity models. This gives a method for automatic update of the insurance tariff. The framework is a generalization a commonly used method of discounting, modeling and inflating (which we denote the DMI framework). A possible modification to the DMI framework is proposed, which makes it applicable to frequency models too. We suggest some methods to compare risk models, especially with respect to their performance over time. Finally the methods are applied on a real life motor insurance dataset and we find that the models under the DMI framework are superior to traditional models without inflation adjustments. The reader is expected to have a background in probability theory and have experience with GLM modeling.
Development of the Soekarno–Hatta International Airport Rail Link Project Using the Value Engineering Method: Creating Value for Money

Soekarno–Hatta Airport is the main gateway for international flights to Greater Jakarta. Its accessibility depends on the inter-city and Sedyatmo toll roads, which causes congestion in peak hours, leading to uncertainty about travel times. The Soekarno–Hatta International Airport Rail Link (SHIARL) is proposed as an alternative mass transportation project, which is expected to provide accessibility and mobility for people and goods to and from the airport. Previously, the project was unattractive to private investors as it was technically and financially unfeasible. Therefore, this research aims to improve the feasibility of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Rail Link (SHIARL) by using a value-engineering approach to create maximum value for money for the project. This research combines quantitative and qualitative methods. Questionnaire surveys are distributed to various stakeholders in the project, and a focus-group discussion (FGD) is conducted. The results identified additional, innovative functions through the integration of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), flood control, telecommunications, and development in the downtown area around the station. The life-cycle cost analysis confirmed the increased value for money because of the project’s additional functions, including a positive Net Present Value (NPV). Moreover, the findings showed that the internal rate of return (IRR) was 3% higher than the original single-function project.
Design and Synthesis of Functional Silsesquioxane-Based Hybrids by Hydrolytic Condensation of Bulky Triethoxysilanes

This paper presents a short overview of recent advances in the design and synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrids using silsesquioxane-based nanoparticles having nanometer size, relatively narrow size distribution, high functionalities, and various characteristic features, mainly focusing on our recent researches related to the subject. A highlight of this paper is the water-soluble silsesquioxane-based nanoparticles, including hydroxyl-functionalized and cationic silsesquioxanes, which were synthesized via the one-step condensation of the bulky triethoxysilane precursors. The design and synthesis of R-SiO1.5/SiO2 and R-SiO1.5/TiO2 hybrids by hydrolytic cocondensation of a triethoxysilane precursor and metal alkoxides are briefly introduced. This paper also deals with recent results in stimuli-responsive hybrids based on the water-soluble silsesquioxane nanoparticles and fluorinated and amphiphilic silsesquioxane hybrids.
Behavior of R-estimators under measurement errors

As was shown recently, the measurement errors in regressors affect only the power of the rank test, but not its critical region. Noting that, we study the effect of measurement errors on R-estimators in linear model. It is demonstrated that while an R-estimator admits a local asymptotic bias, its bias surprisingly depends only on the precision of measurements and does neither depend on the chosen rank test score-generating function nor on the regression model error distribution. The R-estimators are numerically illustrated and compared with the LSE and $L_1$ estimators in this situation.
Optimization of nutritive media composition for xylanase production by Aspergillus awamori

VELKOVA, Z. I. , V. K. GOCHEV, G. KOSTOV and A. ATEV, 2007. Optimization of nutritive media composition for xylanase production by Aspergillus awamori. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 13: 651-656 Optimization of nutritive media composition for xylanase production by Aspergillus awamori RUS-8 was carried out. Full adequate regression model was obtained by Central Composition Plan. Maximum xylanase activity was achieved in optimized nutritive media on a following composition (g/L): wheat bran-20.02; corn cobs-30.85; corn steep liquor-20.38; NaNO3-2.20; KH2PO41; KCl-0.5; MgSO4-0.5 and FeSO4-0.01.
Outward FDI from the Central and Eastern European Transition Economies – A Discrete Choice Analysis of Location Choice within the European Union

The location determinants of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) have received extensive attention in contemporary literature, largely from the perspective of advanced economies. Less attention has been focused on OFDI from emerging economies. This applies, in particular, to Central and East European Countries (CEEC). Apart from traditional OFDI motives such as market-seeking, there is a growing debate regarding the relevance of knowledge-seeking as an investment motive for firms from catch-up economies. We apply a conditional-logit approach to assess OFDI location factors at the host country level for a sample of 1,036 firms from 10 CEEC that entered the EU between 1995 and 2010. We find that firms from CEEC primarily target economies characterized by high growth rates and geographic proximity, i.e., often other transition economies within the EU. The impact of market size increases significantly after EU accession, when more firms are located in advanced economies (EU15 countries). In terms of knowledge-seeking, we find that firms from CEEC seem to be primarily attracted by human capital endowment rather than by the R&D intensity of other EU economies.
Evaluation of Land Use Patterns across Agro-Ecological and Slope Classes using GIS and Remote Sensing: The Case of Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

This study was aimed to identify and evaluate the land use (LU) / land cover (LC) classes as a function of slope categories by analyzing the current satellite image and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) /SRTM. In order to achieve the objectives of the study various data sources and methods were used. Very recent land sat image in combination with the ground truth data were used as the principal data source for the classification of the LU/LC and the DEM was used for the classification of the slope classes. The ground truth data of the different LU/LC and the slope data were collected through field survey using GPS and clinometer, respectively. The ground truth data was used as a reference for interpretation and the classification of the image. Supervised classification method and the Gaussian maximum likelihood classification algorithm were used and the study area was classified in to eight LU/LC classes. Similarly, ten slope categories were produced by using DEM. Finally, the classified satellite image was superimposed with the classified DEM for land use pattern evaluation, and it was found that more than 69% of the study area including very steep slopes is covered with agro-forestry system.
Fracture and friction: A review

Earlier reviews on fracture and friction, as well as relevant monographs (e.g., “Theory of Earthquake Premonitory and Fracture Processes” by R. Teisseyre), presented the knowledge accumulated at that time. By putting emphasis on the physics of these phenomena, the present review summarizes the experimental and theoretical advances that have been achieved during the last years. This is preceded, in the description of each phenomenon, by a careful inspection of the problems envisaged in the frame of the earlier aspects. As a first example, we refer to the recent experiments which demonstrate that the cracks cannot accelerate up to the Rayleigh wave speed predicted by classic theories. Secondly, contrary to what had been thought previously, the most recent theoretical models of the crack propagation are intrinsically unstable against Yoffe-like deflections (i.e., deviations of the crack motion from a straight line) at all speeds. Recent laboratory experiments shed light on what happens during individual slip events in stick-slip phenomena (e.g., the frictional force is larger for increasing than for decreasing velocity within individual events due to memory effects). Furthermore, measurements on laboratory scale reveal that the frequency of precursor events increases dramatically just before a major slip event (even when studying the friction between relatively smooth solids like). The latter effect is primarily due to defects (or disorder, in general), which are shown to play a major role in both phenomena investigated.
An Acoustic and Perceptual Investigation of Contrastive Stress in Children

An Acoustic and Perceptual Investigation of Contrastive Stress in Children Anita S. Dromey Department of Communication Disorders Master of Science Key aspects of prosody have been studied in adults for a number of years; however, less attention has been paid to the acoustic patterns of prosody in children. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate how a group of 20 pre-adolescent children use prosody to mark contrastive stress compared to a control group of adult speakers. It was of interest to investigate whether the children’s use of prosody differed between boys and girls or the part of speech being emphasized. The prosodic patterns of contrastive stress were evaluated in terms of duration, fundamental frequency, and intensity change relative to a baseline production of the same sentence. In addition, a perceptual experiment was conducted to determine if listeners could reliably identify the gender of the child speakers when listening to sentence length utterances. Statistical analysis indicated that there were some differences in the duration and fundamental frequency change as a function of speaker age and the part of speech being emphasized, with relatively minor differences between genders. However it remains unclear if the acoustic differences found in this study were substantial enough to cause a salient perceptual difference. Although previous studies have identified increases in frequency, intensity, and duration as cues of contrastive stress, the present findings revealed patterns that did not consistently conform to these expectations. Limitations in the task design, individual speaker characteristics, and also the type of acoustic measure used may have contributed to these results.
The intensive DT neutron generator of TU Dresden

TU Dresden operates an accelerator-based intensive DT neutron generator. Experimental activities comprise investigation into material activation and decay, neutron and photon transport in matter and R&D work on radiation detectors for harsh environments. The intense DT neutron generator is capable to produce a maximum of 10 12 n/s. The neutron source is a solid-type water-cooled tritium target based on a titanium matrix on a copper carrier. The neutron yield at a typical deuteron beam current of 1 mA is of the order of 10 11 n/s in 4Π. A pneumatic sample transport system is available for short-time irradiations and connected to wo high-purity germanium detector spectrometers for the measurement of induced activities. The overall design of the experimental hall with the neutron generator allows a flexible setup of experiments including the possibility of investigating larger structures and cooled samples or samples at high temperatures.
Pollen Limitation and the Evolution of Self‐Compatibility in Linanthus (Polemoniaceae)

The magnitude of pollen limitation of reproduction was compared in three annual species of Linanthus with contrasting mating systems. In a 2‐yr study, pollen limitation of total female reproductive success was measured in three populations of each species by comparing seed and fruit set in paired pollen‐supplemented and open‐pollinated plants. Linanthus parviflorus, a self‐incompatible species, was found to be pollen limited for some measures of reproductive success in all populations in 1 yr and in two populations in the other. In contrast, no significant pollen limitation was detected in Linanthus bicolor, a highly selfing species, and in two populations of Linanthus jepsonii, a partially outcrossing but self‐compatible species, indicating that autogamous selfing is providing reproductive assurance in most populations of these species. Significant spatial and temporal variation in pollen limitation was found in L. parviflorus and L. jepsonii. Although variable pollinator abundance is likely to have been one cause of the observed variation, it appears that a number of other factors, including resource availability, wind pollination, and pollen inviability, also contributed to variation in the magnitude of pollen limitation. Spatial variation in pollen limitation may explain why some lineages maintain outcrossing mechanisms whereas others evolve toward self‐fertilization.
One Approach for Image Denoising Based on Finite Element Method and Domain Decomposition Technique

The generation process of medical images is inevitably accompanied by a certain noise which degrades the quality of the image and assigns the final clinical diagnosis. Therefore, the denoising step plays an important role in the treatment of medical images in order to prepare the steps of diagnosis and therapy. In this paper, we propose a nonlinear diffusion model for denoising of large size images. The numerical approach to this problem is based on an algorithm combining the methods of finite element and of domain decomposition. Numerical simulations show that the proposed algorithm is a useful alternative for the treatment of degraded images large size.
A MAX-PLUS MODEL FOR GENETIC ALGORITHMS

In this paper, a genetic algorithm (GA) reformulation that com- bines the properties of max-plus algebra is outlined. This theoretical analysis provides a useful framework for the determination the optimal solution of an optimization problem through a fitness function. The model allows us to handle the many properties, concepts and techniques of GA's in a simplified manner.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Mri/Mra in Detecting Subscapularis Tears of Patients Scheduled For Rotator Cuff Surgery: A Mini- Systematic Review

Subscapularis tears are seldom isolated [1] and often occur in combination with various shoulder problems like labrum-, biceps-, or other rotator cuff tears [2-4]. Although often underestimated, the prevalence of subscapularis tendon tears in patients with shoulder pain is about 27-37% [5-7]. Clinical tests, which have been described to assess the subscapularis function, are the lift-off test, belly-press test, internal rotation lag sign, Napoleon test, and bear-hug test. The accuracy of these tests in detecting subscapularis tears is limited. Despite good specificity (reaches 91 100%) the sensitivity of these tests is poor (between 18 65%) [5,6,8]. Thus, approximately more than 40% of the subscapularis tears will be missed as only massive tears can be detected by clinical tests [8,9]. Failure to treat a subscapularis tear, even in supraspinatus tendon repair, can lead to persisted symptoms and failure of the portion of the cuff that was repaired [10-14].
Relating Preferred Learning Style to Student Achievement.

The paper examines the learning style preferences of 44 second-year Japanese college students pursuing an undergraduate degree and learning English as a Second Language at a New Zealand college. The goal is to learn more about between style and achievement, and how to cater to such students as multi-dimensional individuals and as members of a cultural group that has a distinct learning style profile. Achievement was measured by grades and on the results of the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). Learning style preferences were measured on the Perceptual Learning Style (PSLP) and the Style Analysis Survey (SAS). Results showed the most preferred sensory styles to be kinesthetic, auditory, and tactile (PLSP), and hands-on (SAS). "Group" was the preferred social style (PLSP). More students were "concrete-sequential" than "intuitive," and "global" rather than "analytical. " Numbers were evenly balanced between "extroverted/introverted" and "closure/open" modalities (SAS). No strong relationships were found between style and TOEIC scores, but there was a significant relationship between a kinesthetic style preference and higher grades in the practical, skills-based course in which the students were enrolled. Factors positively affecting achievement on TOEIC and in terms of grades included the following: home-stay experience, previous experience studying with a native teacher, participation in extracurricular activities in English, and female gender. Some possible ways in which teachers and administrators can take learning styles into account are briefly considered. Bar charts and tables are included. 16 references. (KFT) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Relating Preferred Learning Style to Student Achievement Heather Thomas, Robin Cox and Takahiro Kojima International Pacific College, Palmerston North, New Zealand PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis: knowledge, perceptions and treatment modalities among pregnant women of an urban settlement in West Africa

Background The use of oral contraceptive pills are increasingly becoming popular among women in both urban and rural Nigerian settings, its perceived association with gynaecologic infections not withstanding. Aim: To ascertain the rate of urogenital candidiasis among women on oral contraceptive pills (OCP) in Gboko town. Methods: All the willing women on OCP attending family planning clinic and Comprehensive health centre in Gboko were consecutively recruited in the month of September, 2009. Questionnaires were used to obtain relevant data such as age, marital status, occupation and urogenital symptoms. Urine, High vaginal swab and Endocervical swab specimens were subsequently collected, transported and processed for isolation of microorganisms using standard laboratory procedures. Results The rate of urogenital candidiasis among the 153 women on OCP was significantly higher 36.5% compared to the control 20.3% (P Key Words : Oral contraceptive pills, Urogenital candidiasis, women