Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vibration-based health monitoring approach for composite structures using multivatiate statistical analysis

In this paper a novel procedure for damage assessment is suggested which is based on singular spectrum analysis (SSA). The main feature of the method is that it applies Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to the lagged time series, obtained from the measured structural vibration response. In this study the methodology is developed for the case of a free decay response. The measured acceleration vectors are transformed into the frequency domain and then used to define a trajectory matrix. The covariance matrix of the trajectory matrix is decomposed into new variables, the Principal Components (PCs). They define a new space of linearly correlated variables onto which the dynamics/motion of the system can be projected. This decomposition is used to uncover oscillation patterns among other purposes. The method is applied and demonstrated for the case of a simple 2-DoF system. To demonstrate its capabilities for damage diagnosis different levels of stiffness reduction are introduced. The first two PCs are used to visually demonstrate the abilities of the methodology. The Mahalanobis distance is used to develop a classification system to detect and localize delamination in the 2-DoF system. The results clearly demonstrate the capabilities of the system to clearly detect and localize damage.
Jury Trial as the Atavism of History

Based on comparative-legal analysis of the jury trials development in Russia and foreign countries, the authors have shown, that broadening of jury trials powers, resulted in remoteness from finding the truth in criminal cases. Concession of the jury's opinion priority over the professionalism of the judge and the evidences, received in the process of investigation, put in jeopardy the fairness and objectivity of the court's decision. As a result, the court, based on the avesty of justicejury's conclusions, is forced, in some cases, to make a travesty of justice.
A Polar Map Based Approach Using Retinal Fundus Images for Glaucoma Detection

Cup-to-disc ratio is commonly used as an important parameter for glaucoma screening, involving segmentation of the optic cup on fundus images. We propose a novel polar map representation of the optic disc, using a combination of supervised and unsupervised cup segmentation techniques, for detection of glaucoma. Instead of performing hard thresholding on the segmentation output to extract the cup, we consider the cup confidence scores inside the disc to construct a polar map, and extract sector-wise features for learning a glaucoma risk probability (GRP) for the image. We compare the performance of GRP vis-a-vis the cup-to-disc ratio (CDR). On an evaluation dataset of 100 images from the publicly available RIM-ONE database, our method achieves 82% sensitivity at 84% specificity, and 96% sensitivity at 60% specificity (AUC of 0.8964). Experiments indicate that the polar map based method can provide a more discriminatory glaucoma risk probability score compared to CDR.
In-band Spectrum Sensing Method Based on Guard Frequency Bandwidth for Cognitive OFDM Systems

A novel in-band spectrum sensing method based on guard frequency bandwidth for cognitive OFDM systems is proposed in this paper. The proposed spectrum sensing procedure is based on leakage-negligible-BW, on which power detection or other detection methods can be implemented. The advantage of this in-band sensing method is the impact to OFDM system frame structure could be minimized.
The Relationship between Dynamic Curriculum Capabilities and Competitive Advantage of Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Institutions in Western Kenya Region

Dynamic capability has been defined as “the capacity of an organization to purposefully create, extend or modify its resource base”, Helfat et al. (2007). This study sought to establish the relationship between dynamic curriculum capabilities and competitive advantage of TVET Institutions in western Kenya Region. Specifically, the study sought to: establish the curriculum capabilities of TVET Institutions in western Kenya, and to determine the relationship between dynamic curriculum capability and competitive advantage of TVET Institutions in western Kenya region. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population included the principals and heads of sections and/or departments of the TVET Institutions in the western Kenya region that are state owned. A census of all the Principals and head of sections/ departments was conducted. Primary data was collected by structured questionnaires. Secondary data was collected from institutional documents, Ministry of Education publications and relevant publications in referred journals. The collected data was edited, coded and entered into SPSS software for analysis. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. In particular, Regression Analysis was used to investigate the relationships between hypothesized variables. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was also used to investigate whether independent variables had combined effect on the dependent variable. The findings were presented using figures and tables. The study found out that TVET Institutions in the western Kenya region has strong curriculum capabilities. The study also, established a positive relationship between Dynamic curriculum Capabilities and Competitive Advantage of the TVET Institutions in western Kenya region. This study is envisaged to aid in the development of policy documents to grow the TVET sector in Kenya.
Leveraging structural-context similarity of Wikipedia links to predict twitter user locations

LEVERAGING STRUCTURAL-CONTEXT SIMILARITY OF WIKIPEDIA LINKS TO PREDICT TWITTER USER LOCATIONS Twitter is a widely used social media service. Several efforts have targeted understanding the patterns of information dissemination underlying this social network. A user’s location is one of the most important information items relative to analyzing content. However, location information tends to be unavailable because most users do not (want to) include geo-tags in their tweets. To predict a user’s location, existing approaches require voluminous training data sets of geo-tagged tweets. However, some of the characteristics of tweets, such as compact, non-traditional linguistic expressions, have posed significant challenges when applying model-fitting approaches. In this thesis, we propose a novel framework for predicting the location of a social media user by leveraging structural-context similarity over Wikipedia links. We measure SimRanks between pages over the Wikipedia dump dataset and build a knowledge base, mapping location information (e.g., cities and states) to related vocabularies along with the likelihood for these mappings. Our results evolve as the users’ tweet stream grows. We have implemented this framework using Apache Storm to observe real-time tweets. Finally, our framework provides a list of ranked "probable" cities based on the distances between candidate locations and their weights. This thesis includes empirical evaluations that demonstrate performance that is in line with current state-of-the-art location prediction approaches.
Group-IIIA versus IIIB delafossites: Electronic structure study

First-principles density-functional theory calculations reveal significantly different behavior between group-IIIA and IIIB delafossites CuMO{sub 2}. The group-IIIA delafossites have indirect band gaps with large differences between the direct and indirect band gaps. However, this difference is small for the group-IIIB delafossites: only 0.22 eV for CuScO{sub 2} and it diminishes further for CuYO{sub 2} and CuLaO{sub 2}. Also, whereas group IIIA prefers rhombohedral stacking, group IIIB stabilizes in hexagonal structures. We further find that CuScO{sub 2} has the highest calculated fundamental band gap among all the delafossite oxides. In addition, CuLaO{sub 2} is found to have a direct band gap. These differences are explained by the different atomic configurations between the group-IIIA and IIIB elements. Our understanding of these delafossites provides general guidance for proper selection of delafossites for suitable applications in optoelectronic devices.
ASSESSMENT OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI IN GLAUCOMA DISEASE IN ABIA STATE OF NIGERIA

Glaucoma is a group of ocular diseases marked with elevated intraocular pressure IOP, reduced visual acuity, optic neuropathies and the corresponding visual field defects. Its etiology is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess Helicobacter pylori bacteria in glaucoma disease patients. The infection of H. pylori was associated with glaucoma by detecting serum IgG antibody against H. pylori qualitatively using immunochromatographic method; and also by isolating the organism from media cultures of fresh faecal samples of the glaucoma patients. In a total of 217 glaucoma patients, 212 (97.7%) were IgG serum positive; while only 25 (13.89%) of the 180 control was IgG positive P<. 001. H. pylori was successfully cultured in 202 (95.3%) feacal samples of these 212 seropositives. The 202 isolates were all Gram negative and produced the enzymes catalase, oxidase and urease. They were highly motile; and poor in the hydrolysis of indoxyl acetate and hippurate (4.9% and 4.4% respectively). They poorly fermented sugar, 7.4% for sucrose and glaucose and 12.3% for lactose. In the antibiotics susceptibility pattern, H. pylori was most resistant to vancomycin 66.8% (135 of the 202) and metronidazole 44.5% (90 of the 202); while H. pylori was most sensitive to tetracycline and ciprofloxacin by 94% and 91.5% respectively. The biochemical characteristics and the antibiotics resistant marker for claritromycin are chromosomal while the resistant marker for amoxicillin was plasmid located. In conclusion, H. pylori infection is associated with the risk for glaucoma development in the population. Clinicians who care for patients with H. pylori infection should also consider that H. pylori can cause not only digestive illness but also eye disease. This association offers a novel approach towards the care for glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness.
On the Efficacy of Fourier Series Approximations for Pricing European Options

This paper investigates several competing procedures for computing the prices of vanilla European options, such as puts, calls and binaries, in which the underlying model has a characteristic function that is known in semi-closed form. The algorithms investigated here are the half-range Fourier cosine series, the half-range Fourier sine series and the full-range Fourier series. Their performance is assessed in simulation experiments in which an analytical solution is available and also for a simple affine model of stochastic volatility in which there is no closed-form solution. The results suggest that the half-range sine series approximation is the least effective of the three proposed algorithms. It is rather more difficult to distinguish between the performance of the half-range cosine series and the full-range Fourier series. However there are two clear differences. First, when the interval over which the density is approximated is relatively large, the full-range Fourier series is at least as good as the half-range Fourier cosine series, and outperforms the latter in pricing out-of-the-money call options, in particular with maturities of three months or less. Second, the computational time required by the half-range Fourier cosine series is uniformly longer than that required by the full-range Fourier series for an interval of fixed length. Taken together, these two conclusions make a case for pricing options using a full-range range Fourier series as opposed to a half-range Fourier cosine series if a large number of options are to be priced in as short a time as possible.
Application of GIS and logistic regression to fossil pollen data in modelling present and past spatial distribution: A case study in the Columbian Savanna

Citation for published version (APA): Flantua, S. G. A. , van Boxel, J. H. , Hooghiemstra, H. , & van Smaalen, J. (2007). Application of GIS and logistic regression to fossil pollen data in modelling present and past spatial distribution: A case study in the Columbian Savanna. In A. C. Wistanley (Ed.), GISRUK 2007: proceedings of the Geographical Information Science Research UK Conference: National Centre for Geocomputation, National University of Ireland Maynooth, 11th13th April 2007 (pp. 102-107). Maynooth: NUI.
Spermatophore weight and sperm number in the southernmost species of the genus Poecilimon Fischer, 1853 (Orthoptera: Phaneropterinae)

Male bushcrickets transfer during copulation edible spermatophores that are consumed by bushcricket females as nutrient sources. They consist of two edible parts; the smaller ampulla that contains the ejaculate and the larger spermatophylax. Both components of the spermatophore and the number of sperm transferred vary greatly in size respectively number between species. This paper examines the relationship between body size and spermatophore components, including sperm number in Poecilimon ( Poecilimon ) syriacus Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1891 which is known from the southernmost area of the genus distribution. Water content of spermatophylax was found to be about 90% of wet mass. Consistent with many previous studies, the spermatophore components, including dry spermatophylax weight, were positively affected by male body weight, but there was no relationship between body weight and sperm number. A positive relationship between wet spermatophylax weight and ampulla weight supports the ejaculate protection hypothesis. The results of this study suggest that P. syriacus makes a large investment in spermatophylax and ampulla relative to its body size in comparison to other species of the genus Poecilimon .
The Effect Of Selected Determinants On Public Debt In Kenya

Public debt refers to the total of the nation's debts which covers debts of local and state and national governments indicating how much public spending is financed by borrowing instead of taxation. A prudent public debt management helps economic growth and stability through mobilizing resources with low borrowing cost and limiting financial risk exposure. Budget deficit is a key component of Government borrowing. Governments borrow so as to help bridge the gap between the budgeted expenditure and the budgeted revenue. The recorded deficit is what will determine how much money Government will need to borrow in order to meet its budgetary allocations. The general prices of imported commodities have a great impact on the level of borrowing that a government can get into. The objective of the study was to establish the effect of selected determinants on public debt in Kenya. This study made use of descriptive study design and used secondary data. Annual data was used in the computations. The study covered ten years starting 2003 to the year 2012. The Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and the presentations made using tables and figures. The findings established that there was a direct relationship between public debt and exchange rates, balance of payments and budget deficit. The policy makers need to evaluate the best exchange rate policy for optimal economic development. The study findings further established that debts and exchange rates had been increasing; grants had been decreasing over years, while budget deficits remained high in the country. This study recommends that budgeting process be controlled in order to reduce the debts which are leading to increasing public debts in Kenya. The study further recommends that the government should take measures to ensure that the decline in the grants being received is reversed. This will help in stabilizing the economy and enhancing economic growth while making sure that public debt is at manageable levels to avoid budget deficit.
Detection of E. coli Isolates in Water from Setumo Dam Mmabatho Area – North West Province, South Africa Using mdh Specific PCR Analysis

Abstract Most countries including South Africa, process surface water from lakes, rivers, dams and ponds by filtration, chlorination, alum treatment before use for drinking purposes. In South Africa, the North West Province in particular, residents of most rural communities do not have access to treated water. This exposes them to contamination with pathogens such as Escherichia coli. The aim of the study was, therefore, to isolate, identify and characterize E. coli strains from water collected from Setumo Dam, located at the Modimola village, in the periphery of the Mmabatho suburban area using conventional microbiological methods and PCR analysis. Water samples were collected during the summer season from three different sites of the dam, viz; upstream, middle stream and the downstream of the dam. Tap water was used as a control during analysis. Bacterial loads were determined by spread plating on mFC and EMBA and incubating the plates aerobically at 45oC and 37oC, respectively for 24 hours. Blue colonies on mFC agar were counted and recorded while pure metallic sheen colonies on EMBA were identified using preliminary (oxidase test, TSI) and confirmatory (API 20E and mdh specific PCR) assays. The results obtained indicated that all the water samples were contaminated with faecal coliform bacteria. Samples from upstream had high colony counts (320 to 1624 cfu/50ml) than those from the mid-stream (56 to 90 cfu/50ml) and the downstream (26 to 44 cfu/50ml). There was no contamination from tap water. Of the 57 randomly selected E. coli colonies that satisfied the preliminary identification tests and API 20E, 46 (80.7%) were positively identified as E. coli since they possessed the mdh gene fragment. Water from the dam contained high E. coli load and it is recommended that the Local municipality makes informed decisions pertaining to the control and management of the pathogen. Improvement of the sanitary and water systems in the area is therefore necessary.
Dynamic Simulation of Modifiable Bipedal Walking on Uneven Terrain with Unknown Height

To achieve bipedal walking in real human environments, a bipedal robot should be capable of modifiable walking both on uneven terrain with different heights and on flat terrain. In this paper, a novel walking pattern generator based on a 3-D linear inverted pendulum model (LIPM) is proposed to achieve this objective. By adopting a zero moment point (ZMP) variation scheme in real time, it is possible to change the center-of-mass (COM) position and the velocity of the 3-D LIPM throughout the single support phase. Consequently, the proposed method offers the ability to generate a modifiable pattern for walking on uneven terrain without the necessity for any extra footsteps to adjust the COM motion. In addition, a control strategy for bipedal walking on uneven terrain with unknown height is developed. The torques and ground reaction force are measured through force-sensing resisters (FSRs) on each foot and the foot of the robot is modeled as three virtual spring-damper models for the disturbance compensation. The methods for generating the foot and vertical COM of 3-D LIPM trajectories are proposed to achieve modifiable bipedal walking on uneven terrain without any information regarding the height of the terrain. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed through dynamic simulations.
The skin ulceration disease in cultivated juveniles of Holothuria scabra ( Holothuroidea , Echinodermata )

It is frequently reported that cultivated holothuroids can suffer from a disease affecting their integument. We report here on a disease of juvenile Holothuria scabra, the widely marketed edible sea cucumber, reared in the Aqua-Lab hatchery of Toliara, Madagascar. This disease, which has been called skin ulceration disease, is very contagious and results from a severe bacterial infection that causes death within 3 days. The first sign of the infection is a white spot that appears on the integument of individuals, close to the cloacal aperture. The spot extends quickly onto the whole integument leading to the death of individuals. Microscopic (histology, scanning and transmission electron microscopies) and biomolecular (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing) techniques have been used to describe the lesions and to investigate the infecting microbial communities. The lesions consist in a zone where the epidermis is totally destroyed and where collagen fibres and ossicles are exposed to the external medium. This zone is surrounded by a border line where degrading epidermis is mixed with the connective tissue. Lesions include three bacterial morphotypes: rod-shaped bacteria, rough ovoid bacteria, and smooth ovoid bacteria. The last morphotype is the only one found on the ossicles and is assumed to be responsible for their degradation. Three species of bacteria have been put 0044-8486/$ see front matter D 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.aquaculture. 2003.11. 018 * Corresponding author. Tel. : +32-65-37-34-69; fax: +32-65-37-34-34. E-mail address: Pierre.Becker@umh.ac. be (P. Becker). P. Becker et al. / Aquaculture 242 (2004) 13–30 14 in evidence in the lesions thanks to biomolecular analyses: Vibrio sp. , Bacteroides sp. , and an a-Proteobacterium. Infection assays of healthy holothuroids have been performed from lesions and from bacterial cultures but the causative agent has not been identified. It is suggested that combined events or agents, including bacteria, are required to induce the disease. D 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Movement Patterns and Stopover Ecology of Wilson's Warblers During Spring Migration on the Lower Colorado River in Southwestern Arizona

Abstract We used radio-telemetry to examine fine-scale movement patterns of Wilson's Warblers (Wilsonia pusilla) at a stopover site on the lower Colorado River during spring migration in 2005 and 2006. The overall movements of Wilson's Warblers were restricted to small, localized areas, with an average linear displacement of only 332 m. Warblers exhibited exploratory behavior characterized by fast, long-distance, directed linear movements during the first and second day after presumed arrival at the stopover site. However, exploration was limited within the overall landscape (<2 km diameter), suggesting a cost to extended exploration. As individuals gained more information about the distribution of resources at the stopover site through exploratory behavior and direct sampling of the habitat, movements became more aggregated within a localized area, suggesting that Wilson's Warblers settled within a microsite at the stopover site to replenish fuel supplies. The overall movement patterns exhibited by warblers during stopover were influenced by the age of the individual and changes in resources, both within a season and between years. Movement patterns of Wilson's Warblers documented during this study provide essential information about the temporal distribution of a warbler's locations within a stopover site, indicating how birds search for and acquire food resources throughout their stopover.