Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Multi-choice Reading Comprehension Dataset for Curriculum Learning

The past few years have witnessed the rapid development of machine reading comprehension (MRC), especially the challenging sub-task, multiple-choice reading comprehension (MCRC). And the release of large scale datasets promotes the research in this field. Yet previous methods have already achieved high accuracy of the MCRC datasets, e.g. RACE. It’s necessary to propose a more difficult dataset which needs more reasoning and inference for evaluating the understanding capability of new methods. To respond to such demand, we present RACE-C, a new multi-choice reading comprehension dataset collected from college English examinations in China. And further we integrate it with RACE-M and RACE-H, collected by Lai et al. (2017) from middle and high school exams respectively, to extend RACE to be RACE++. Based on RACE++, we propose a three-stage curriculum learning framework, which is able to use the best of the characteristic that the difficulty level within these three sub-datasets is in ascending order. Statistics show the higher difficulty level of our collected dataset, RACE-C, compared to RACE’s two sub-datasets, i.e., RACE-M and RACE-H. And experimental results demonstrate that our proposed three-stage curriculum learning approach improves the performance of the machine reading comprehension model to an extent.
Power supply and the performances of small and medium scale enterprises (SMSEs) in River State: A qualitative response model approach

This paper used durations of public power supply, bills paid for public power and cost paid for private power supply as measures of power supply on the performances index of the SMSEs in Port Harcourt. The performance indexes are employed in the models as the dependent variables while the power supply indexes are the explanatory variables. The data were sourced primarily through a well-structured questionnaire and the samples determined by the Cochran sampling techniques. The data were analysis with the Qualitative Respond Model. It was revealed that lower duration of public power supply significantly reduces the profitability, productivity and revenue as well as storage of products of the SMSEs examined. Hence, the study recommended among others that there is need to allocate more electric power to the industrial area of Rivers statePort Harcourt, especially in the day light to encourage productivity, profitability and employment generation in the state. © 2019 Bussecon International Academy. Hosting by Bussecon International. All rights reserved. Peer review under responsibility of Bussecon International Academy. BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM AND STRATEGY IJBES VOL 1 NO 1 ISSN: 2687-2293 Available online at www.bussecon. com Journal homepage: https://www.bussecon. com/ojs/index.php/ijbes 56 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM AND STRATEGY 1(1) (2019) 55-62
Cepstral and Mel-Cepstral Analysis on Spectral Model of HMM-Based Speech Synthesis System

HMM-Based Speech Synthesis System (HTS) uses Mel Log Spectrum Approximation (MLSA) filter to model vocal tract. Since stability of synthesis filter and interpolation of parameters affect the quality of synthetic speech, spectral model plays an essential role in a Text-to-Speech (TTS) system. This paper compares the ability to model the human vocal tract using cepstral and mel-cepstral coefficients to build a MLSA filter, as well as needed filter orders.
Relationship of Anxiety and Depression to Quality of Life in Patients with Cancer

Background: Cancers are known to be grave disorders affecting patients and their families both physically and emotionally. The present study was planned to determine anxiety and depression in cancer patients and their relationship with quality of life. Patients & Methods: A total of 205 cancer patients from the wards of Oncology department, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalpindi were included in the study. The study population included the patients with various malignancies. The Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and EORTC-QLQ-C30 with a written consent was obtained from all the patients. Basic demographic data including age, marital status, treatment and diagnosis were collected from all the participants in a properly designed questionnaire. Results: In total 205 cancer patients were studied. The mean age of patients was 41.04 years (SD=16.04 years). Majority of patients were males (76.6%) and married (79%). Mostly patients were getting chemotherapy (62.4%). Various malignancies included Leukemias (27.3%), GI malignancies (12.2%), Lymphomas (10.2%), Sarcoma (6.8%), Breast tumors (5.9%) and others were 37.6%. Overall 89.8% of cancer patients were found to have anxiety and depression A significant negative correlation was observed among anxiety, depression and quality of life with [r= -0.46 and r= -0.47] respectively. Conclusion: Poor quality of life was observed in those who have higher psychological distress. Psycho social stress and expensive treatment of cancer leads to psychological distress and it reduces patient’s physical, social and emotional functioning. Psychotherapeutic treatment along with medication should be implemented as the best way to help cancer patients to cope up their distress and to improve their quality of life.
Fabrication of Thin Nanoporous Alumina Templates on Semiconductor Substrates

In this study, thin nanoporous alumina templates were fabricated from provided pure thin aluminum films deposited on GaN surface by electron beam evaporation after growing GaN on Sapphire substrates by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The aluminum films were anodized in electrochemical system with the solution of oxalic acid (H2C2O4). The nanoporous alumina template was gradually formed on the substrate with the growth rates of between 36 and 39 nm/min. To investigate the template, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was introduced. The structure and the cell size were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the pore diameter and vertical length were about 42 nm and 400 nm, respectively. Moreover, the thicknesses of the sidewall and the barrier layer at the bottom of alumina nanopores are similar about 26 nm.
Multimodal Biometric Authentication using Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrix for Enhancing Security in Cloud

Clouds are flattering to be widespread service providers due to their low upfront costs, rapid application deployment, and high scalability. Numerous users outsource their sensitive data and services to cloud service providers. Users repeatedly access their sensitive data services through devices and connections that are vulnerable to thieving and eavesdropping. As a result, the users are fraught of robust security measures to protect their sensitive data and service privacy in clouds. Multimodal biometrics is an emerging research area to investigate for enhancing the security of cloud. It is used for recognize the individuals for providing security in the application and also to increase the security levels. In General, the highly secured systems are generally accessed to be computationally expensive systems. The concept of Perception Learning Rule is applied for implementing the authentication process in the biometric system which provides more security. Here we try to provide a survey of biometric authentication system that is used to provide the security in cloud. We also designed Multimodal Biometric Systems by Gray level Co-occurrence matrix which enhances the feature extraction.
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A NEW METHOD BY HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY FOR THE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF MAGNOLOL LOADED IN SILICA PARTICULATE SYSTEMS

In order to analyse magnolol (MG) in modern pharmaceutical forms, we developed and validated a new high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with UV detection. We optimized the working conditions for the chromatographic system and recorded the chromatograms at the wavelength of 290 nm. The method was validated by the determination of the following parameters: method repeatability and intermediate precision for the concentration of 0.5 mg/mL for which we obtained RSD values of ≤ 2.5 for peak area, retention time and concentration, method linearity in the concentration range 0.025 1.5 mg/mL; calibration curve equation for MG (y = 492.05x + 6.5518) (R = 0.9985); detection limit of 0.00988 mg/mL and limit of quantification of 0.02993 mg / mL; method robustness for MG concentration of 0.5 to 1 mg/mL; accuracy of method, for which the achieved recovery rate was in the range 98.42 103.83%. The method was tested by the determination of MG loaded in nanoporous silica. Results showed a 96.57% degree of retrieval and confirm the hypothesis that this method can be used for the quantitative determination of MG loaded in silicate matrices as modified release formulations.
Extensions of the orthogonal beamforming to identify multiple multipole sources

Identification of sources with complex directivities is attracting great attentions in aeroacoustic measurements these years. A multipole orthogonal beamforming algorithm was proposed to identify multipoles with arbitrarily oriented axes with no prior knowledge about source types. Independent sources were separated by the eigenvalue decomposition of the cross spectral matrix of signals measured by microphone arrays. The influence of source directivities on source imaging was eliminated by normalizing and squaring the eigenvectors. The delay-and-sum procedure was performed on each modified eigenvector to localize sound sources. The proposed algorithm was verified by simulations and experimental trials using a combination of a loudspeaker and an Aeolian tone dipole source. The accuracy of estimated source positions is improved and the resolution of the proposed algorithm is comparable to that of deconvolution approaches.
Evaluation of the relationship between self-reported physical activity and metabolic syndrome and its components in apparently healthy women.

INTRODUCTION The metabolic syndrome, a set of metabolic anomalies that include insulin resistance, central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and inflammation, is an important tool to explore factors associated to cardiometabolic disease. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the levels of self-reported physical activity and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire items and the metabolic syndrome and the variables related to cardiovascular risk in 89 women. MATERIALS AND METHODS The short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire was applied to classify participating subjects into three categories: insufficient, sufficient and very active physical activity. The metabolic syndrome was assessed according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Biochemical and anthropometrical parameters were measured . RESULTS Twenty-two participants (23%) presented metabolic syndrome and 66 women (74.2%) were classified in the insufficient physical activity category. No association was found between insufficient physical activity and metabolic syndrome . Inverse correlations were found among the days and minutes per week of physical activity of moderate-intensity, waist circumference ( r =-0.327, and r =-0.313, p<0.005, respectively), and body mass index ( r =-0.262, and r =-0.218, p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION A high prevalence of insufficient physical activity was found in the study participants, but this was not associated with metabolic syndrome . Moderate but not vigorous physical activity items from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire correlated inversely with anthropometrical markers related to cardiovascular risk.
Mechanism of Preparation of Platform Compounds from Lignocellulosic Biomass Liquefaction Catalyzed by Bronsted Acid:A Review

Over the past two decades, research on transforming lignocellulosic biomass into small molecule chemicals by using catalytic liquefaction has made great progress. Notably, in recent years it has been found the production of small molecule chemicals through directional liquefaction of lignocellulosic biomass. Understanding the liquefaction mechanism of lignocellulosic biomass is highly important. In this review, the liquefaction mechanism of lignocellulosic biomass and model compounds of cellulose are described, and some problems and suggestions to address them are described.
Assessing yield stability and adaptability of Andean common bean genotypes in the semi-arid environment of Botswana

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a vital source of nutrients worldwide. It is one of the most consumed grain legume in Botswana. Fourteen Andean common bean genotypes were evaluated in four environments (two seasons and two diverse agro-ecologies) to determine the effect of genotype and environment interaction and yield stability. The genotypes were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Grain yield data was analyzed on additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), cultivar superiority index, Wricke’s ecovalence and Finlay and Wilkinson regression. There was a lack of variation among the selected genotypes, while environment and genotype × environment interaction (GEI) was significant (P <0.01), which is an opportunity to select stable genotypes across environments. AMMI model for total variation revealed that the environment effect was dominant at 36.83%, genotype × environment interaction at 19.82%, while genotype alone was 3.38%. The cumulative sum of squares of the first two interaction principal component axes (IPCAs) accounted for 76.13% of interaction. Stability coefficients consistently identified genotypes DAB494, CAL96 and DAB541 as the most stable and well adapted, besides the low yield realized. These genotypes are useful for stability breeding purposes and for introduction to the semi-arid environment of Botswana. Key words: Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), genotype × environment interaction (GEI), interaction principal component axes (IPCA), Phaseolus vulgaris.
Preliminary Results of a Controlled Trial of the Effect of a Prepaid Group Practice on the Outpatient Use of Mental Health Services

Using data from the Rand Health Insurance Study, which randomly assigned families into a prepaid group practice (PGP) and a fee-for-service insurance plan, this study finds different patterns of outpatient mental health care for the two groups. In the absence of cost sharing, fee-for-service participants are as likely as PGP participants to visit formally trained mental health specialists, but with 2.8 times greater imputed expenditures. Thus, fee-for-service provides more intensive therapy. Because the participants are random samples of the same population, these differences result from institutional differences (and patient incentives for cost sharing) rather than adverse selection.
Evaluation of antioxidant and antifungal activities of several plants against agents of postharvest citrus sour rot and green mould rot

The antifungal activities of chloroform extracts of 10 plants species belonging to Lamiaceae family, which were collected from Kırklareli (Turkey), against Geotrichum candidum, the agent of postharvest citrus sour rot and Penicillium digitatum, the agent of postharvest citrus green mould rot, were researched. The lowest Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values against G. candidum and P. digitatum were obtained in the extract of Marrubium peregrinum L. (250 and 125 μg/ml). In 1000 μg/ml, the extracts of Melissa officinalis showed 100% inhibition on the spore germination of G. candidum and P. digitatum. In the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observations of G. candidum and P. digitatum that was subjected to M. peregrinum extract (4MIC) degenerative changes in the hyphal morphology were seen in the form of cell wall degradation, lysis and collapsing. The highest values of total phenolics were obtained from Mentha pulegium extracts (739.57 mg GAE/g). The lowest EC50 values (0.08 mg/ml) were found in the extracts of M. peregrinum and Sideritis montana. The highest flavanol content was determined from M. officialis exctracts (12.71 mg CE/mg). This study demonstrates M. peregrinum extracts may possess high antifungal activity against G. candidum and P. digitatum.
Reflection from elastic wedges of different thickness pro- files

An elastic wedge whose thickness varies with axial position according to a power law can act as an absorber of incident flexural waves and thus as an anechoic termination. Ideally, if the wedge is tapered down to zero thickness, the incident wave slows down to zero propagation velocity at the edge, thus never reaching the boundary, and, so, not undergoing reflection. In practice, however, a small truncation of the wedge always occurs, due to manufacturing restrictions, leading to non-zero thickness at the edge, so that some reflection does occur. In this paper, alternative thickness profiles are examined, such as the power-cosine, the exponential and the Gaussian profile, the latter two inevitably having a truncation within a finite length. A method based on the WKB approximation is used in order to calculate the reflection coefficient of a structure comprising a wedge connected to a uniform plate. Higher-order WKB approximations are also applied. Results are compared with those from a Finite Element analysis.
Trade Policy under Monopolistic Competition with Heterogeneous Firms and Quasi-linear CES Preferences∗ Preliminary Draft

We analyze trade policy in a symmetric, two-country, two-sector model, where one sector produces differentiated varieties under monopolistic competition with heterogeneous firms while the other sector is competitive and produces a freely traded and homogeneous outside good. Consumer preferences are represented by a quasilinear CES utility function; thus, differentiated varieties are aggregated according to a CES preference function, and the outside good enters the utility function in a linear and additive fashion. Countries select ad valorem import and export tariffs (or subsidies), where the goal of each country is to maximize its national welfare. We characterize unilateral policy interventions that raise the welfare of the intervening country and harm its trading partner, effi cient trade policies that maximize the joint welfare of the two countries, and Nash trade policies. Among other findings, we show that, starting at global free trade, the unilateral introduction of a small export subsidy is beneficial to the intervening country and raises joint welfare, even though the trading partner is harmed. In this sense, the model fails to provide an effi ciency-based rationale for a prohibition on the use of export subsidies. ∗Authors’ email addresses: kbagwell@stanford.edu and seunghoon@econ.gatech. edu. We thank Matilde Bombardini, Robert Feenstra, Oleg Itskhoki, Andres Rodriguez-Clare, Robert Staiger, Alan Spearot and Heiwai Tang for helpful comments. †Department of Economics at Stanford University; and NBER ‡Georgia Institute of Technology
Code Control: Developing a Serious Game to Reinforce Introductory Programming Concepts SIGCSE Report

We developed a 3D game to teach and reinforce fundamental programming concepts. An innovative feature allows instructors to create customized programming challenges that students solve in the context of the game. The game was designed to engage and motivate all students, with a special focus on women and racial minorities. A preliminary evaluation of the game in Brooklyn College, College of Staten Island, and Kingsborough Community College indicates promise in the use of the game as a teaching tool.
Determination of the characteristics of contemporary Turkish mosque and its acoustical properties

In the last 10 years in Turkey the number of a place of worship of the followers of the religion of Islam (mosque) has increased. Mosque, as a multi-functional place designed to be used technically for speech and music performances, is an active research area for experts of acoustics. In this study, a section of a comprehensive study focused on speech intelligibility in mosques is presented. The aim is to determine Turkish mosque types which are commonly built since the year of 2000 and to evaluate of its acoustical properties. Mosques built since the year of 2000 in a city which has the average population of the Turkish urban areas, are selected to be analyzed for determining the specification of the sample mosque models’ physical characteristics. Method used in this study is; collection of the determined mosques’ properties; comparative analyze of the collected data; synthesizing the design of the sample mosque and obtaining the room acoustic parameters by using simulation techniques. Finally, acoustical parameters of sample mosque are compared with the acoustical parameters of mosques suggested in the literature. Also, by this research the base model of the contemporary Turkish mosque is provided using for future studies on mosque acoustics.
A MATLAB toolbox for virus particle tracking

This document describes a set of MATLAB scripts and functions developed to acquire virus particle trajectories from video microscopy recordings. Input data are video frames of fluorescently labeled moving particles whose size is below the resolution limit of the microscope (i.e. of moving point spread blobs). The individual frames of the video need to be available as image files. In each frame image, the software detects the locations of virus particles while trying to reject other bright spots such as secondary endocytic vesicles, dust or autofluorescence. The obtained locations in each frame are then optimally linked into trajectories over time. ICoS Technical Report
Does air pollution affect the price of housing ? A Joint Geostatistics and Spatial Econometric Perspective

Air pollution is becoming a core factor in housing prices hedonic models, but results about its impact on housing prices are not conclusive. Most of the literature about the issue obviates two important aspects: the importance of the spatial argument in such models and the way air pollution indicators are constructed. In this work we deal with a general spatial hedonic model that nests other simpler specifications included in the literature and propose an air pollution indicator based on geostatistical principles. Unlike most of the empirical studies in the literature, we have focused our empirical analysis on a European city, Madrid. The reason is that we suspect house buyers in American and European cities perceive air pollution differently. Keywords—Air pollution, Geostatistics, Housing price, Spatial econometrics.