Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DIAGNOSING KNOWLEDGE STATES IN ALGEBRA USING THE RULE SPACE MODEL

This paper illustrates the use of rule space as a tool to support cognitive analyses of students' mathematical behavior. The rule space approach is explained and is then used to classify students into one of two methods for solving linear algebraic equations in one unknown and to diagnose their knowledge states in this topic. A 32-item test with open-ended questions was administered to 231 eighth and ninth graders. The following outcomes of the rule space model were presented: (a) a classification of examinees into knowledge states resulting from the two solution approaches at the group level along with individual examples; (b) tree-diagrams of the transitional relationships among the states for each strategy. Implications for using the feedback provided by the rule space model in the context of instruction and assessment are discussed.
Agile Method Tailoring in a CMMI Level 5 Organization

We investigate the use and tailoring of agile methods in a highly disciplined CMMI Level 5 organization. We explore gaps between traditional agile practices and those required for enhanced levels of governance required by CMMI appraisal. We conducted a case study with recorded interviews from practitioners at NIIT Technology Ltd. The interviews were iteratively analysed and coded. Our findings show that agile methods must be supplemented with pre-sprint planning, evidence recording, project metrics, team self-organization, process standardization, and process base-lining to support the CMMI appraisal. There are challenges around Agile compliance with CMMI Level 4 processes and misconceptions about agile methods precluding documentation of the rationale for design decisions. This research contributes data to the tailoring of agile methods in a high-maturity CMMI context and will be useful for agile teams conducting level 5 appraisals.
Measuring performance of minor event management ventures in Kenya.

This paper examines indicators that measure performance in minor event management ventures (EMVs). This study enhances understanding of performance of minor EMVs and contributes significantly to literature on performance measurement by providing empirical knowledge. 271 entrepreneurs formed the sample for the study which employed descriptive research design. Census sampling was used where all the entrepreneurs in Kisumu, Nairobi and Uasin Gishu counties in Kenya were included in the study. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. Reliability of the indicators was tested using Cronbach’s alpha. Exploratory factor analysis grouped the constructs into two components namely financial and non-financial. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to measure the extent to which the observed variables (Financial and Non-financial) explain the unobserved variable (performance). The results showed that both variables adequately explained performance of event management ventures. The study concluded that the balanced scorecard was not suitable in measuring performance of EMVs. Key Words: Event Management, Kenya, Measurement, Performance, Ventures
The Impact of Customer Appreciation Service on Customer Loyalty Patronage: Evidence from Nigeria Financial Sector

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of customer appreciation service on customer loyalty patronage from the Nigeria financial sector. The survival and growth of organizations largely depend on the success of the marketing strategies it employs from time to time. Customer appreciation service CAS which is a subset of customer relationship management is regarded as a viable competitive tool for survival and growth in contemporary business. Customer Appreciation Service means a day(s) set aside by firms to appreciate / honour their customers by giving them gifts for their patronage over time. It is also aimed at positively influencing repeat purchase behaviour. The data for this study was collected from 400 customers randomly selected from sampled banks in Port Harcourt Nigeria; and 380 properly completed questionnaire were retrieved and used. The finding revealed that customer appreciation service impact on customer loyalty patronage. The Finding further revealed that the banks need to segment the celebration packages issued on CAS day(s). The study recommended that policy makers and banks managers should at least annually celebrate CAS, and also segment the gift items they give to customers on CAS day(s). There is also a need for banks to improve upon the products / services quality offered to their target market. This is because, quality service plus customer appreciation service result to customer loyalty patronage. Key words: Customer Appreciation Service (CAS), Customer Loyalty Patronage (CLP), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM).
Multimodal Biometrics by Direct Fusion of Face and Palm Print Features

Multimodal biometrics has recently attracted substantial interest for its high performance in biometric recognition system. The face and Palm print is a reliable biometric characteristic with high usability. With the increasing demand very highly accurate and robust as well as clear face and palm print authentication system, multimodal image has been employed to acquire more discriminative information and increase the ant spoof capability of face and palm print. In this paper, introducing multimodal biometrics for face and palm print images using fusion techniques at the feature level. In this study, propose to build a modified multistage LBP histogram for a palmprint image. The palmprint image is divided into several regions from which the LBP feature distributions are extracted and concatenated into an enhanced feature vector to be used as a image descriptor. In this model of paper, the biometric system gives an explanation for each model. Also, the modalities of biometrics are discussed as well as focused on two different modalities :Palm-Print, Fusion
Theoretical and practical applications of mental imagery

Mental imagery is used extensively by musicians as well as by athletes in sport. As performers, musicians and athletes strive to achieve excellence. Preparation is an essential precursor to performance and the use of mental imagery is a common method of achieving this state. In the sport psychology literature an applied model of imagery use has been proposed, the model suggests that the sport situation (i.e. training, competing, rehabilitation) will dictate the function of imagery used (e.g. arousal regulation, skill rehearsal), and this in turn will impact the outcome (e.g. feelings of efficacy, technique). Relevant mental imagery research in sport and music is reviewed, making links across the disciplines in an attempt to inform research and practice. The applied model of imagery use in sport guides the development of a similar applied model of imagery use in music.
A solution for multicollinearity in stochastic frontier production function models

This paper considers the problem of collinearity among inputs in a stochastic frontier production model, an issue that has received little attention in the econometric literature. To address this problem, a principal-component-based solution is proposed, which allows carrying out a joint interpretation of technical efficiency and the technology parameters of the model. Applications of the method to simulated and real data show its usability and effective performance.
O nly How to measure mitochondrial function in birds using red blood cells : a case 1 study in the king penguin and perspectives in ecology and evolution 2 3

1. Mitochondria are the powerhouse of animal cells. They produce through oxidative phosphorylation more than 90% of the cellular energy (ATP) required for organism’s growth, reproduction and maintenance. Hence, information on mitochondrial function is expected to bring important insights in animal ecology and evolution. Unfortunately, the invasiveness of the procedures required to measure mitochondrial function (e.g. sampling of liver or muscles) has limited its study in wild vertebrate populations so far. Here, we capitalize on the fact that bird red blood cells (RBCs) possess functional mitochondria to describe a minimally-invasive approach to study mitochondrial function using blood samples. 2. In the king penguin, we present a protocol using a high-resolution respirometry system and specific agonists and antagonists enabling the assessment of mitochondrial function in RBCs. We evaluated the interassay repeatability of our measures of mitochondrial function, and tested the influence of sample storage and bird handling time on these measures. We also compared measures of mitochondrial function in RBCs and in the pectoral muscle obtained from the same individuals. Methods in Ecology and Evolution
The effect of mechanical site preparation on ectomycorrhizae of planted white spruce seedlings in conifer-dominated boreal mixedwood forest

We characterized the ectomycorrhizae (ECM) of planted white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings as affected by mechanical site preparation (MSP) of clear-cut conifer-dominated boreal mixedwood forest. Relative abun- dance, richness, and composition of the ECM community were compared among untreated control, mixed, mounded, and scalped site preparation treatments. On >11 000 root tips, we observed 16 ECM morphotypes. Those common to the nurs- ery in which the seedlings were raised were most abundant (Thelephora americana, Wilcoxina-like (E-strain), Amphinema byssoides, Phialocephala-like (MRA)). Seedlings in the untreated controls had lower abundances of these, but higher abun- dances of other ECM, which were not present in the nursery of origin but were indigenous to these forest stands. In terms of ECM composition, the ''mixed'' treatment was most similar to the untreated control, while the ''scalped'' and ''mound'' treatments showed significantly different ECM communities than the controls. Our results suggest that MSP may facilitate continued dominance by ECM that establish on seedlings in the nursery while slowing the natural succession towards the natural forest ECM. MSP treatments that leave some surface organic matter relatively intact may impact ECM less than those that remove or bury the organic layer. Resume´ : Nous avons caracteriseles ectomycorhizes (ECM) de plants d'epinette blanche (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) affectes par la preparation mecanisee de terrain (PMT) ala suite d'une coupe a blanc dans une foret mixte dominee par des resineux. L'abondance relative, la richesse et la composition de la communauted'ECM a etecomparee entre un te ´- moin non traiteet des traitements de preparation de terrain mixtes, d'amenagement de buttes et de scalpage. Nous avons observe ´ 16 morphotypes d'ECM sur plus de 11 000 apex racinaires. Ceux qui etaient communs dans la pepiniere oules semis avaient eteproduits etaient les plus abondants (Thelephora americana, le type Wilcoxina (souche E), Amphinema by- ssoides, le type Phialocephala (MRA)). L'abondance de ces ECM etait plus faible chez les semis des temoins non traites qui comportaient, cependant, une plus forte abondance d'autres ECM qui n'etaient pas presentes dans la pepiniere d'origine, mais qui etaient indigenes aces peuplements forestiers. En termes de composition en ECM, le traitement mixte etait le plus semblable au temoin non traitealors que le scalpage et l'amenagement de buttes etaient associesades com- munautes d'ECM significativement differentes de celle du temoin. Nos resultats indiquent que la PMT peut faciliter le maintien de la dominance des ECM etablies sur les plants en pepiniere tout en ralentissant la succession naturelle vers les ECM de la foret naturelle. Les traitements de PMT qui laissent des superficies relativement intactes de matiere organique peuvent avoir moins d'impact sur les ECM que ceux qui enlevent ou enfouissent la couche de matiere organique. (Traduit par la Redaction)
MultiMagNet: Uma Abordagem Não Determinística na Escolha de Múltiplos Autoencoders para Detecção de Imagens Contraditó rias

Studies reveal that machine learning algorithms can be induced to misclassify adversarial images. Recent research has created a method that incorporates a non-deterministic component to detect these images. The nondeterminism hinders attackers from tracking the behavior of the defense method. However, this method has been bypassed by attacks conducted systematically, which succeeded in reproducing the defense’s response. Thus, this paper aims at proposing a detection method that randomly considers multiple components, increasing the non-deterministic effect. Experimental results prove the robustness of the proposed method against the state-of-the-art adversarial attacks. Resumo. Estudos mostram que os algoritmos de aprendizado de máquina podem ser induzidos a cometer erros de classificação diante de imagens contraditórias. Uma pesquisa recente criou um método que incorpora um componente não determinı́stico para detectar essas imagens. O não determinismo dificulta ao atacante mapear o comportamento do método. No entanto, essa abordagem tem sido superada por ataques aplicados de forma sistemática, que conseguiram abstrair a essência do comportamento de defesa. Assim, este artigo tem como objetivo propor um método de detecção que, ao considerar múltiplos componentes aleatórios, amplia o efeito do não determinismo. Resultados experimentais comprovam a robustez do método proposto frente aos ataques do estado da arte.
Discrete Spectral Local Measurement Method for Testing Solar Concentrators

In order to compensate for the inconvenience and instability of outdoor photovoltaic concentration test system which are caused by the weather changes, we design an indoor concentration test system with a large caliber and a high parallelism, and then verify its feasibility and scientificity. Furthermore, we propose a new concentration test method: the discrete spectral local measurement method. A two-stage Fresnel concentration system is selected as the test object. The indoor and the outdoor concentration experiments are compared. The results show that the outdoor concentration efficiency of the two-stage Fresnel concentration system is 85.56%, while the indoor is 85.45%. The two experimental results are so close that we can verify the scientificity and feasibility of the indoor concentration test system. The light divergence angle of the indoor concentration test system is 0.267° which also matches with sunlight divergence angle. The indoor concentration test system with large diameter (145 mm), simple structure, and low cost will have broad applications in solar concentration field.
Well Capacity and the Gains from Coordination in a Spatially Explicit Aquifer

In this paper, we develop a spatially explicit hydro-economic model of groundwater use to address two research questions related to groundwater management. First, we highlight the theoretical and empirical relationship between changes in an aquifer’s saturated thickness at a given location and the net returns to irrigated agriculture. Second, we illustrate how this relationship influences the relative gains to dynamic behavior and the coordination of groundwater pumping. This latter question helps to provide feedback on the extent to which groundwater use that accounts for dynamic linkages can support higher net returns, even when it does not involve the full coordination of all users. We find that the gains from individual dynamic optimization and coordinated groundwater management critically depend on the sensitivity of crop yields to the level of saturated thickness. When lower levels of saturated thickness correspond to substantial yield reductions, even individual users stand to benefit from optimal management relative to behaving myopically.
A Differentiable Model for Optimizing Hybridization of Industrial Process Heat Systems with Concentrating Solar Thermal Power

A dynamic model of a concentrating solar thermal array and thermal energy storage system is presented that is differentiable in the design decision variables: solar aperture area and thermal energy storage capacity. The model takes as input the geographic location of the system of interest and the corresponding discrete hourly solar insolation data, and calculates the annual thermal and economic performance of a particular design. The model is formulated for use in determining optimal hybridization strategies for industrial process heat applications using deterministic gradient-based optimization algorithms. Both convex and nonconvex problem formulations are presented. To demonstrate the practicability of the models, they were applied to four different case studies for three disparate geographic locations in the US. The corresponding optimal design problems were solved to global optimality using deterministic gradient-based optimization algorithms. The model and optimization-based analysis provide a rigorous quantitative design and investment decision-making framework for engineering design and project investment workflows.
A new genus and species of rodent from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae: Oryzomyini), with comments on oryzomyine biogeography

We describe in this paper a new genus and species of cricetid rodent from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, one of the most endangered eco-regions of the world. The new form displays some but not all synapomorphies of the tribe Oryzomyini, but a suite of unique characteristics is also observed. This new forest rat possesses anatomical characteristics of arboreal taxa, such as very developed plantar pads, but was collected almost exclusively in pitfall traps. Phylogenetic analyses of morphological (integument, soft tissue, cranial, and dental characters) and molecular [nuclear – Interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (Irbp) – and mitochondrial – cytochrome b– genes] datasets using maximum likelihood and cladistic parsimony approaches corroborate the inclusion of the new taxon within oryzomyines. The analyses also place the new form as sister species to Eremoryzomys polius, an Andean rat endemic to the Maranon valley. This biogeographical pattern is unusual amongst small terrestrial vertebrates, as a review of the literature points to few other similar examples of Andean–Atlantic Forest pairings, in hylid frogs, Pionus parrots, and other sigmodontine rodents. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 161, 357–390.
Ship recognition for improved persistent tracking with descriptor localization and compact representations

For maritime situational awareness, it is important to identify currently observed ships as earlier encounters. For example, past location and behavior analysis are useful to determine whether a ship is of interest in case of piracy and smuggling. It is beneficial to verify this with cameras at a distance, to avoid the costs of bringing an own asset closer to the ship. The focus of this paper is on ship recognition from electro-optical imagery. The main contribution is an analysis of the effect of using the combination of descriptor localization and compact representations. An evaluation is performed to assess the usefulness in persistent tracking, especially for larger intervals (i.e. re-identification of ships). From the evaluation on recordings of imagery, it is estimated how well the system discriminates between different ships.
Enhancement of PEO Performance in Reducing Turbulent Flow Drag with the Addition of SDBS Anionic Surfactant

Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) is a non-ionic polymer, which has been used widely as a drag reduction (DR) agent. Nevertheless, its ability to reduce drag in turbulent flow is yet limited. Thus, in this paper, a study to improve the ability of PEO to reduce drag in a turbulent flow through addition of an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS)) is presented. The Various concentration ranges of PEO (10, 20, 40, and 60 ppm) and SDBS (100, 200, 400, and 500 ppm) were studied. The physical properties, viscosity, and electrical conductivity were measured to evaluate the interaction in a complex solution. The electrical conductivity measurements confirmed that the interaction between the polymer-surfactant solutions takes place between the CAC-PSP points. The drag reduction measurements were done using a rotating disk apparatus (RDA). The RDA results showed substantial findings when the anionic surfactant-polymer solution was compared to the pure polymer solution. The interaction between the polymer and the surfactant results in transforming the polymer from coil to straight-like body, which enhanced the polymer drag reduction ability. The PEO-SDBS solution showed the highest DR of 50 %, at a mixture concentration of 60 ppm of PEO with 200 ppm of SDBS. Nonetheless, at higher concentrations, the DR value dropped due to the increase in the relative viscosity of the solution, which enhanced the resistance to the flow.
Scrapping Subsidies During the Financial Crisis - Evidence from the Europe

We study the effects of car scrapping subsidies in Europe during the financial crisis. We make use of a rich data set of all car models sold in eight European countries, observed at a monthly level during 1998–2011. We employ a difference-in-differences approach, exploiting the fact that different countries adopted their programs at different points in time. We find that the scrapping schemes played a strong role in stabilizing total car sales in 2009: they prevented a total car sales reduction of 30.5% in countries with schemes targeted to low emission vehicles, and a 29.0% sales reduction in countries with non-targeted schemes. We find evidence of crowding out due to substitution from non-eligible to eligible cars in France and Spain. Because eligible cars tend to be more fuel efficient, targeted scrapping schemes had significant environmental benefits in the form of improved fuel consumption: without the schemes, the average fuel consumption of new purchased cars would have been 3.6% higher. Those benefits did not materialize under non-targeted schemes, in which the fuel consumption would have been only 0.7% higher absent the scheme. Finally, we find some evidence that domestically produced cars benefited at the expense of foreign competitors especially in countries where the schemes were not targeted.
Kinetics of the adsorption of hexavalent Chromium from aqueous solutions on low cost material

This study proposes a Jordanian Pottery (Pot-Jo) as a low cost adsorbent for the removal of chromium from aqueous solutions. The effect of contact time, initial concentration of Cr(VI), temperature and ionic strength on the adsorption of Cr(VI) onto Pot-Jo were studied and discussed. The equilibrium (qe) of adsorption of Cr(VI) onto pottery were found to be 20.287, 17.55, and 13.577 mg Cr(VI) per gram of pottery at temperatures 25, 35, and 45°C, respectively. Five kinetic models, the pseudo first-order equation, the pseudo second-order equation, the Elovich equation, the Ritchie’s equation, and the intraparticle diffusion model were tested with respect to their adequacy to describe the adsorption process. The mechanism of adsorption was investigated by using the intraparticle diffusion model. It was found that there was no significant effect of the ionic strength on the removal of Cr(VI) from its solutions. Kinetic parameters, rate constants, equilibrium adsorption capacities and correlation coefficients, for each kinetic equation were calculated and discussed. Activation energy values were found to be between 13.85 and 33.10 kJ mol-1. The Ritchie and pseudo-first order kinetic equation were found to correlate the experimental data well. The rate determining step is well described by intraparticle diffusion process. The kid values ranging from 1.326 to 0.963 mgg-1min-1/2. Key words: Chromium (VI), Sorption kinetics, Pseudo-second order, Lagergren, Tempkin.