Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for

The proliferation of online employee selection testing is causing a growing concern for the possibility of cheating. This study examines the interrelationships between personality factors and cheating behavior on unproctored selection testing. Past research has indicated that individuals with high specific self-efficacy are less likely to cheat. It was hypothesized that high levels of both general self-efficacy (GSE) and specific self-efficacy (SSE) predict lower rates of cheating overall. Additionally, Chance et al.’s (2001) study on self-deception demonstrated that students who cheat experience inflated confidence for future performance; this study extends this research by examining the effect cheating has on an individual’s level of self-efficacy. Results indicate that, contrary to what was hypothesized, GSE positively correlates with cheating while SSE does not predict cheating. As hypothesized, GSE did not vary following cheating; however, SSE significantly decreased rather than increased following cheating. These findings prompt a number of questions for future research.
DETECTION USING PERIODIOC / APERIODIC COHERENCE FEATURES

This paper introduces novel features for Voice Activity Detection (VAD). They are based on the coherence function between the considered frame and its LPC residue, calculated for both periodic and aperiodic components. The development of these features was motivated by the possible distinction between the periodicity and the aperiodicity character of speech and noise frames. Two statistical based decision techniques are used, they are the Discriminant Analysis (DA) and Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM) based bayesian classifier. We tested the proposed VAD technique on TIMIT database. We obtain consistent improvement as compared to features without periodic and aperiodic decomposition. In addition, we obtain encouraging results in real environmental noise.
The Analytical Form of the Dispersion Equation of Elastic Waves in Periodically Inhomogeneous Medium of Different Classes of Crystals

The investigation of thermoelastic wave propagation in elastic media is bound to have much influence in the fields of material science, geophysics, seismology, and so on. The heat conduction equations and bound equations of motions differ by the difficulty level and presence of many physical and mechanical parameters in them. Therefore thermoelasticity is being extensively studied and developed. In this paper by using analytical matrizant method set of equation of motions in elastic media are reduced to equivalent set of first-order differential equations. Moreover, for given set of equations, the structure of fundamental solutions for the general case has been derived and also dispersion relations are obtained.
A Biologically Conformal Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy Framework Basedon [18F] Fluoro-Deoxy-Glucose Positron Emission Tomography forIndividualized Cancer Treatment

Purpose: To develop a framework for biologically-optimized routine intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment plans based on 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG)-Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography imaging. Methods and materials: The dose-planning FDG-PET images are first corrected for partial volume effect using an iterative algorithm with a noise suppression filter. Thereafter, the FDG-uptake is used for transforming the delineated clinical target volume (CTV) into a set of biological planning target volumes (bPTV). This is done with an optimization algorithm that groups pixel values with the objective of maximizing the FDG-uptake variance between bPTV. The resulting average FDG pixel intensity within each bPTV, together with a tumor control probability (TCP) function, are used to obtain the prescribed dose to each bPTV that maximize the total TCP, using dose limits to the organs at risk (OAR) as constraints. The accuracy of this method was tested on a phantom. Additionally, this framework was also tested on five patients with head-neck cancer, in a retrospective clinical trial. Results: The extension of the obtained bPTV and their activity concentration showed good agreement with the true FDG distribution in the phantom. All patients planned using the presented methodology achieved a notable increase in TCP, compared to the standard IMRT plans. Conclusions: FDG-PET together with this framework can be used to biologically optimize IMRT to individualize cancer treatment.
Limiting behaviour of the stationary search cost distribution driven by a generalized gamma process

Consider a list of labeled objects that are organized in a heap. At each time, object $j$ is selected with probability $p_j$ and moved to the top of the heap. This procedure defines a Markov chain on the set of permutations which is referred to in the literature as Move-to-Front rule. The present contribution focuses on the stationary search cost, namely the position of the requested item in the heap when the Markov chain is in equilibrium. We consider the scenario where the number of objects is infinite and the probabilities $p_j$'s are defined as the normalization of the increments of a subordinator. In this setting, we provide an exact formula for the moments of any order of the stationary search cost distribution. We illustrate the new findings in the case of a generalized gamma subordinator and deal with an extension to the two--parameter Poisson--Dirichlet process, also known as Pitman--Yor process.
Transcriptome-Based Analysis of Tomato Genotypes Resistant to Bacterial Spot (Xanthomonas perforans) Race T4

Bacterial spot (BS) is one of the most devastating foliar bacterial diseases of tomato caused by multiple species of Xanthomonas. We performed the RNA-Seq analysis of three tomato lines with different level of resistance to Xanthomonas perforans race T4 to study the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and transcript-based sequence variations. Analysis between inoculated and control samples revealed that resistant line PI 270443 had more DEGs (834), followed by susceptible line NC 714 (373), and intermediate line NC 1CELBR (154). Gene functional analysis based on Gene Ontology (GO) terms revealed that more GO terms (51) were enriched for up-regulated DEGs in the resistant line PI 270443, and more down-regulated DEGs (67) were enriched in the susceptible line NC 714. The specific analysis for DEGs in biotic stress pathway using MapMan software showed more up-regulated biotic stress pathway DEGs (67) for PI 270443 compared to more down-regulated DEGs (125) for susceptible NC 714 line. One interesting feature was that resistant PI 270443 has three up-regulated DEGs for PR-protein, and susceptible line NC 714 has one down-regulated R gene, which is disease-related. Analysis of sequence variations called from RNA-Seq reads against the reference genome of susceptible Heinz 1706 showed that chr11 which has multiple reported resistance QTLs to BS race T4 is identical between two resistant lines, PI 270443 and NC 1CELBR, suggesting that these two lines share the same resistance QTLs on this chromosome. Several loci for PR-resistance proteins with sequence variation between the resistant and susceptible tomato lines were identified near the known Rx4 resistance gene on chr11. These findings may be useful for further molecular breeding of tomato.
Modeling of Nanocomposite Structures to Evaluate the Effect of Nanoplatelet Interphase Region on Electric Field Intensity

The effects of the nanoplatelet interphase region on the electric field intensity within a nanocomposite structures are presented in this paper. The modeling of the nanoplatelet and its interphases was performed by using the Finite Element Method Magnetics (FEMM) 4.2 software. Two possible structures of the nanoplatelet were simulated – with and without interphases. In addition, two different models of interphase structures surrounding the nanoplatelet were analyzed – one with rectangular-shaped interphase and the other with circularly-shaped interphase. Both sets of the model interphase were assumed to have different thicknesses and radii. The results showed that the presence of the nanoplatelet interphase affected the electric field intensity of the nanocomposite.
The Dynamic Relationship between House Prices and Output: Evidence from US Metropolitan Statistical Areas

This paper investigates the long-run and short-term dynamics of 351 US metropolitan statistical area housing prices in relation to personal income. We apply a panel cointegration approach on annual data from 1993 to 2011 and find a long-run relationship between local house prices and per capita personal income. The causal direction is then assessed based on an autoregressive distributed lag specification that also accommodates for error-correction. Results from Granger-causality tests reveal the existence of a bi-directional causality between real house prices and real per capita personal income over both long- and short-horizons. We conclude that changes in personal income can predict house price movements and vice versa.
Psychosocial Factors Associated with Bullying Typologies in a Mental Health Population of Adolescents

Despite the well documented mental health consequences of bullying behavior, bullying has not been studied in a mental health population. This study has examined psychosocial factors (symptoms of internalizing disorders and cognitive style) in a population of adolescents admitted into a partial hospitalization program. Sixty-four participants completed five self-report measures. This study was not able to differentiate among bully typologies based on internalizing symptoms (PTSD and depression) or self-debasing cognitive style. Instead, a more relevant finding was that more than half of the sample had clinical levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms. Because this sample was more similar than it was different, bully typologies were not relevant. It was proposed that trauma focused treatment strategies would better address the core issue of trauma.
The Interplay of Human and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Genomic Variability

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the human pathogens Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and Mycobacterium africanum, has plagued humanity for millennia and remains the deadliest infectious disease in the modern world. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. africanum can be subdivided phylogenetically into seven lineages exhibiting a low but significant degree of genomic diversity and preferential geographic distributions. Human genetic variability impacts all stages of TB pathogenesis ranging from susceptibility to infection with Mtb, progression of infection to disease, and the development of distinct clinical subtypes. The genetic study of severe childhood TB identified strong inborn single-gene errors revealing crucial pathways of vulnerability to TB. However, the identification of major TB-susceptibility genes on the population level has remained elusive. In particular, the replication of findings from candidate and genome-wide association studies across distinct human populations has proven difficult, thus hampering the characterization of reliable host molecular markers of susceptibility. Among the possible confounding factors of genetic association studies is Mtb genomic variability, which generally was not taken into account by human genetic studies. In support of this possibility, Mtb lineage was found to be a contributing factor to clinical presentation of TB and epidemiological spread of Mtb in exposed populations. The confluence of pathogen and human host genetic variability to TB pathogenesis led to the consideration of a possible coadaptation of Mtb strains and their human hosts, which should reveal itself in significant interaction effects between Mtb strain and TB-susceptibility/resistance alleles. Here, we present some of the most consistent findings of genetic susceptibility factors in human TB and review studies that point to genome-to-genome interaction between humans and Mtb lineages. The limited results available so far suggest that analyses considering joint human–Mtb genomic variability may provide improved power for the discovery of pathogenic drivers of the ongoing TB epidemic.
Forecasting Box-Office Revenue by Considering Social Network Services in the Korean Market

The Korean movie market is an extremely dynamic market. Social network services are also rapidly growing in Korea and comments on movies in social network services (SNS) are increasingly influencing the movie industry. In this paper, we address the issue of forecasting box-office revenue by considering the comments on movies in SNS. We analyze the data in the Korean movie market by using regression analysis and the Bass diffusion model. Our results show that the number of screens is the only significant variable before release, whereas positive and negative mentions on SNS are also essential after release. In addition, the hybrid method provides the idea of employing SNS data into diffusion models for obtaining effective forecasting results.
Comparative study of proximate, mineral and phytochemical analysis of the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum, Vernonia amygdalina and Moringa oleifera

The aim of this study is to make a comparative analysis of the proximate, mineral and phytochemical compositions of the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum, Vernonia amygdalina and Moringa Oleifera plants found within our vicinity in Nigeria. The analyses were investigated in accordance with standard procedures and compared. Of the 3 plants, M. oleifera had highest (P<0.05) crude fat, crude protein and total ash but lowest in carbohydrate content, whereas, V. amygdalina with highest fiber had the lowest crude fat and total ash. Crude fiber and crude protein were lowest in O. gratissimum. Also, O. gratissimum showed the highest composition of calcuim, potassium, copper and zinc content compared to V. amygdalina and M. oleifera. Phytate and saponin were significantly predominant (P<0.05) in O. gratissimum relative to V. amygdalina and M. oleifera, whereas flavonoid and tannin were highest (P<0.05) in V. amygdalina. However, M. oleifera had the highest content of alkaloids among the three plants. The results showed that three leaves evaluated contained varying amount of the proximate, minerals and phytochemicals, hence, the regular use of these leaves are recommended. Key words: Proximate, minerals, phytochemical, phytate, saponin, tannin.
The National Benchmark Quantitative Literacy Test for Applicants to South African Higher Education

The National Benchmark Test Project (NBTP) was commissioned by Higher Education South Africa in 2005 to assess the academic proficiency of prospective students. The competencies assessed include quantitative literacy using the NBTP QL test. This instrument is a criterion-referenced multiple-choice test developed collaboratively by South African academics and provides complementary information to that provided by the norm-referenced school-leaving examination. In this paper we outline the theoretical framework that provides the foundation for the NBTP QL test and describe the test construct. In the QL test specifications, there are three dimensions specified for each item: the competencies (reasoning and behaviour) that are required to answer the item correctly, the main mathematical and statistical ideas the item addresses, and a characterisation of the level of cognitive processing the item calls for. The results are reported using benchmarks which place students’ scores into proficiency bands which indicate the extent to which curricula should be responsive to their level of preparedness. We discuss the extent to which the NBTP QL test is succeeding in contributing to meeting the goals of the NBT project. The test is intended to provide institutions with information that will assist with admissions and placement decisions, but the QL test scores are not used uniformly for these purposes across the higher education sector. The NBTP QL test results show that the majority of students are severely underprepared for the QL demands of higher education and that a comprehensive systemic response requiring curriculum change at many levels is required.
Passive clearing of native vegetation: Livestock damage to remnant jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) woodlands in Western Australia

In south-western Australia, areas of native forest and woodland on farmland left after agricultural clearing (remnants) have in recent times been subject to chronic disturbance by grazing livestock. We analysed adjacent grazed and ungrazed sites to assess the effects of grazing disturbance on the scleropyhll woodland community. Species richness and diversity were reduced in heavily-grazed sites and floristic dissimilarity between grazed and ungrazed sites was high. In the heavily-grazed sites, exotic species were 46% to 48% of the species recorded. Frequency and cover of native perennial species was significantly reduced in the heavily-grazed sites and in a lightly-grazed site. There was a significant increase in the frequency and cover of exotic annual grasses and herbs in the heavily grazed sites. Other life form groups such as geophytes, native perennial grasses and native annuals were not significantly affected by livestock grazing. Grazing also resulted in a significant increase in surface soil compaction and water repellency as well as concentration of soil N and P. Size-class distribution of the overstorey indicated that no recruitment had taken place for many years and, although germination of overstorey species occurred each year, no seedlings survived at the heavily grazed sites. In these sclerophyll woodlands, grazing has altered plant community structure, from a understorey dominated by perennial shrubs to one dominated by exotic annual grasses and forbs. Resilience of native perennial species is dependent on reproductive stategy, life form and morphology, life history and palatiblity. Annual exotic species are favoured by increases in soil nutrients and disturbance, reduction in competition and an ability to withstand a high level of disturbance.
Synergistic Effect of Anthropogenic Disturbances on Offspring Demography of Pentadesma butyracea (Clusiaceae), a Threatened Tree Species in Benin (West-Africa)

Understanding how ecological differences and anthropogenic disturbances synergistically drive population dynamics decline is critical for optimal management strategy definition. Main anthropogenic disturbances such as habitat size reduction, fire and non-timber forest harvest affect demographic processes but our understanding of their interaction effects in contrasted ecological conditions is limited. We investigated the interaction effects of fruit harvest, fire, gallery forest size and distance to streambed on density, recruitment, survival and growth of Pentadesma butyracea offspring in dry and moist ecological conditions. We randomly selected in each ecological region six P. butyracea populations. We then established in each population, 10 subplots of 100 m2 within 1 ha to assess offspring demographic performance from 2015 to 2017. Results showed that fire suppressed the positive effect of large habitat size and amplified the negative effect of increasing local aridity on offspring growth. Fire and harvest synergistically reduced growth whereas offspring growth was resilient to fire in moist ecological region. Moist ecological conditions mitigated the negative effect of harvest on growth. Harvest mitigated the surprise negative effect of large habitat size on survival. However, in large gallery size, high harvest limited clonal recruitment and growth. There was a positive interaction effect between harvest and distance to streambed on survival (High harvest, Z = 2.045, p = 0.041, Medium, Z = 2.060, p = 0.039) but a negative interaction effect on growth (High, t = -2.357, p 0.05). Clonal offspring grew faster than sexual offspring in high harvest populations. In moist region, offspring survived better in large gallery forest size. In 2017, survival and growth were lower in large gallery forest. In 2017, offspring growth was higher near the riverbed where the survival rate low. This study suggests that management strategies should consider the interaction effects of anthropogenic disturbances and climatic conditions.
The Unemployment Invariant Hypothesis: Heterogenous Panel Cointegration Evidence From U.S. State Level Data

We explore the long-run relationship between the unemployment rate and the labor force participation rates for U.S. over the period of 1976-2015. We use U.S. state level data and panel cointegration techniques that are robust to cross-sectional heterogeneity, cross-sectional dependency, omitted variable bias and endogeniety issues. We find evidence that on average these two variables are cointegrated and are inversely related. Similar to studies that employ U.S. country level data, this study further questions the empirical relevance of the unemployment invariant hypothesis for the case of the U.S.
Relationship between self-concept and vocational aspirations among adolescents in selected secondary schools into Tongaren, division Bungoma district

This was a study of the relationship between self-concept and vocational aspirations of adolescents. The study also investigated intervening variables like gender, age and socioeconomic background with regard to the relationship between self-concept and vocational aspirations. The study sample was drawn from ten randomly selected secondary schools in Tongaren division of Bungoma District. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 294 subjects comprising of form one and form four students, out of which 146 were boys and 148 were girls. Two instruments were used to collect data. The Semantic Differential Scale (SDS) was used to measure self-concept while the occupational preference questionnaire was used to elicit pertinent data relating to socioeconomic background and vocational aspirations. Data collected in this study, was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (spss). Means and frequencies were used in descriptive statistics while spearman rank order correlation coefficient, multiple regression and the t-test were used in inferential statistics. The study found that there was a significant correlation between self-concept and vocational aspirations, and between socioeconomic background and vocational aspirations. There was a significant gender difference in vocational aspirations. In addition, there was no significant correlation between age and self-concept and between