Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The New Eye of Government: Citizen Sentiment Analysis in Social Media

Several Governments across the world are trying to move closer to their citizens to achieve transparency and engagement. The explosion of social media is opening new opportunities to achieve it. In this work we proposed an approach to monitor and analyze the citizen sentiment in social media by Governments. We also applied this approach to a real-world problem and presented how Government agencies can get benefited out of it.
Relationship between serum adipocytokine levels and metabolic syndrome in menopausal women

Objective. Adipocytokines are bioactive substances derived from adipose tissues, especially visceral fat, and play a crucial role in the development of metabolic syndrome. The aims of this study were to estimate serum levels of adipocytokines (adiponectin, resistin and TNF-α) and to examine the associations between adipocytokine levels and metabolic syndrome in menopausal women. Methods. We recruited 28 postmenopausal women with features of metabolic syndrome. For the purpose of comparing adipocytokine levels, 30 postmenopausal women without metabolic syndrome were recruited by matching age and body mass index (BMI). Serum levels of adipocytokines (adiponectin, resistin, TNF-α) were then determined, and any potential correlations between adipocytokine levels and metabolic syndrome were investigated. Results. There were no significant differences in adiponectin or resistin levels in women with metabolic syndrome when compared with the control group. Conversely, TNF-α levels were significantly higher in women with metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that TNF-α was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome. Conclusion. Our results suggest that, among the adipocytokines (adiponectin, resistin and TNF-α), serum TNF-α levels may serve as a useful biomarker for diagnosing metabolic syndrome in menopausal women.
60 GHz Plated Through Hole Printed Magneto-Electric Dipole Antenna

A wideband unidirectional antenna, which is composed of a planar electric dipole and a magnetic dipole formed by a vertically-oriented shorted patch antenna, is presented for millimeter wave applications. The antenna is realized by a plated through hole printed technique with the use of a microwave substrate and is excited by a T-shaped coupled strip feed. An impedance bandwidth of 33% (S11 ≤-15 dB) from 50 to 70 GHz is achieved. Stable radiation patterns with low cross polarizations and a stable antenna gain of ~7.5 dBi are achieved across the entire operating bandwidth. This single antenna element yields advantages of wideband, good directional radiation pattern and low fabrication cost.
Characterization and regulation of the expression of FatB, an iron transport protein encoded by the pJM1 virulence plasmid

The pJM1‐encoded genes fatDCBA are essential for iron acquisition via the siderophore anguibactin. Sequence analysis indicated that the open reading frame corresponding to the fatB gene possesses domains that are characteristic of periplasmic proteins that bind the ferric siderophore. In this work, a monospecific antiserum against an oligopeptide containing the last 27 amino acids of the carboxy‐terminal region from this open reading frame was used to demonstrate that fatB encodes a 35 kDa protein that is essential for iron transport. By using this antibody we were able to demonstrate that expression of the fatB gene is negatively regulated by the Fur protein at high iron concentrations. Conversely, its expression was positively regulated by the combined action of the AngR protein and products of the TAF region. FatB, the product of the fatB gene, is isolated with the membrane fraction. In accordance with these findings is the fact that the first 23 amino acid residues of this protein have the properties of a lipoprotein signal sequence. The lipoprotein nature of FatB is supported by the fact that treatment of Vibrio anguillarum cells with globomycin, an inhibitor of the lipoprotein signal peptidase, results in the accumulation of a 38 kDa pro‐FatB precursor protein.
Experimental design and interpretation of functional neuroimaging studies of cognitive processes

This article discusses how the relation between experimental and baseline conditions in functional neuroimaging studies affects the conclusions that can be drawn from a study about the neural correlates of components of the cognitive system and about the nature and organization of those components. I argue that certain designs in common use—in particular the contrast of qualitatively different representations that are processed at parallel stages of a functional architecture—can never identify the neural basis of a cognitive operation and have limited use in providing information about the nature of cognitive systems. Other types of designs—such as ones that contrast representations that are computed in immediately sequential processing steps and ones that contrast qualitatively similar representations that are parametrically related within a single processing stage—are more easily interpreted. Hum Brain Mapp 2009. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of ultrasound-guided interstitial laser photocoagulation on benign solitary solid cold thyroid nodules: one versus three treatments.

OBJECTIVE Interstitial laser photocoagulation (ILP) is a safe and effective procedure when inducing thyroid nodule necrosis. In this prospective randomized study, we evaluated a possible dose-response relationship as well as patient satisfaction. DESIGN Thirty euthyroid outpatients with a cytologically benign solitary solid and scintigraphically cold thyroid nodule causing local discomfort were assigned to one session of ILP (ILP-1) (n = 15) or three monthly ILP sessions (ILP-3) (n = 15) and followed for 6 months. ILP was performed under continuous ultrasound (US)--guidance and with an output power of 2.5-3.5 W. Thyroid nodule volume was assessed by US. Pressure and cosmetic complaints were evaluated on a visual analogue scale. MAIN OUTCOME In the ILP- 1 group, thyroid nodule volume decreased from 10.1 +/- 4.3 mL (mean +/- standard deviation [SD]) to 5.7 +/- 3.2 mL (p = 0.0004), and in the ILP-3 group from 10.8 +/- 5.5 mL to 4.6 +/- 3.0 mL (p = 0.0005) during follow-up. The overall mean difference between the two groups was 13%, corresponding to an improved mean thyroid nodule volume reduction of 30% (p = 0.03). In both groups subjective symptoms were significantly reduced, and without difference between the two groups (p = 0.7). No major side effects were seen in either group. CONCLUSION As a nonsurgical therapeutic option, ILP-1 approximately halves thyroid nodule volume with concomitant symptom relief. There is little incremental effect of additional ILP treatment, which should be limited to patients with large nodules or limited nodule reduction after the first treatment.
Under-diagnosis of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Nairobi, Kenya.

SETTING Nairobi City Council Chest Clinic, Nairobi, Kenya. OBJECTIVE To determine if under-reading of sputum smears is a contributing factor in the disproportionate increase in smear-negative tuberculosis in Nairobi, Kenya. METHODOLOGY Between October 1997 and November 1998, patients fulfilling the local programme definition of smear-negative presumed pulmonary tuberculosis were enrolled in the study. Two further sputum specimens were collected for examination in a research laboratory by fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS Of 163 adult subjects enrolled, 55% were seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). One hundred subjects had had two pre-study sputum smears assessed before recruitment and produced two further sputum specimens for re-examination in the research laboratory; of these 19 (19%) were sputum smear-positive on re-examination and a further seven (7%) became smear-positive on second re-examination. CONCLUSIONS Of those patients with smear-negative presumed pulmonary tuberculosis by the local programme definition, 26% were smear-positive when reexamined carefully with two repeat sputum smears. This suggests that the high rates of smear-negative tuberculosis being seen may in part be due to under-reading. This is probably as a result of the overwhelming burden of tuberculosis leading to over rapid and inaccurate sputum examination. Retraining of existing technicians and training of more technicians is likely to reduce underreading and increase the yield of smear-positive tuberculosis. This finding also stresses the need for regular quality assurance.
Metal Ion Effects on the cis/trans Isomerization Equilibrium of Proline in Short‐Chain Peptides: A Solution NMR Study

The effect of copper(II) ions on the probabilities of existence of the four detectable conformers of the tetrapeptide Tyr‐Pro‐Phe‐Pro (β‐casomorphin 4) in [2H6]DMSO was investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Integration of the Phe‐NH signals provided the relative populations in the free state as tt/tc/ct/cc=28:34:29:9 at 293 K (c=cis, t=trans). Copper(II) was shown to bind to all four isomers, yielding complexes with two different structures, depending on the conformation of Pro2. The interpretation of paramagnetic relaxation rates of Pro2‐Hα signals provided the corresponding isomeric probabilities in the metal‐bound state as 13:36:20:31. The observed stabilization of the conformation with the lowest probability of existence (cc) may be relevant for the biological role of copper and other metal ions.
Experimental evidence of the anisotropy of tracer dispersion in rough fractures with sheared walls

Dispersion experiments are compared for two model fractures with identical complementary rough walls but with a relative shear displacement δ parallel (δ ∥ U) or perpendicular (δ ⊥ U) to the flow velocity U. The flowing fluid is a shear thinning polymer solution with a Newtonian behavior at low shear rates. For δ ⊥ U, the mixing fronts display large structures well reproduced by assuming parallel channels of conductance deduced from the aperture field. This model also explains the amplification of the structures in the shear thinning regime and the distribution of the local transit times (x, y). For δ ∥ U, the front is much flatter. The local thickness of the front is characterized by a dispersivity α(x, y): its distribution is narrow enough to define an effective value α(Pe) only for δ ∥ U, and, in this case, α(Pe) has a Taylor‐Aris‐like variation with Pe.
Assessing the Sustainability of Government Debt: On the Different States of the Debt/GDP Process

This paper discusses the type of trajectory a country's public debt path follows. In particular, a Markov switching ADF model is used to assess the sustainability of public debt by testing whether a government's present value borrowing constraint holds. Building on the work of Raybaudi et al. (2004) and Chen (2011), the model in this paper generalizes their methodology. The number of lags and states are in principle unrestricted and all of the parameters can be switching. Debt trajectories of 16 countries are investigated using long time series on debt/GDP obtained from Reinhart and Rogoff (2011). Two different criteria are used to test the null hypothesis of a unit root in each state. The countries with a sustainable debt path are found to be Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, while Greece and Japan are found to have unsustainable debt trajectories. The debt paths of the remaining countries are mainly characterized as being in a unit root state and are therefore labeled as uncertain. Robustness tests indicate that the model is robust to the sample size and the number of states used. Further, it is shown that the models used in this paper offer an improvement to existing models investigating this subject.
Handwritten digits recognition using ensemble neural networks and ensemble decision tree

Handwriting recognition is widely used, and the using of neural network as a method to do is quite common. In this project, neural networks ensembles combined with another classifier are train and test in solving handwritten digit recognition problems, using USPS and MNIST database. The new proposed algorithm, ensemble neural networks that combined with ensemble decision tree (ENNEDT), performed better than single neural network and ensemble neural network. ENNEDT reached 84% accuracy from classifying USPS dataset. Matlab program implemented the training and testing functions to the handwritten digit recognising system.
Security performance evaluation for biometric template protection techniques

Biometric template protection techniques are able to provide a solution for vulnerability which compromises biometric template. These are expected to be useful for remote biometric authentication. However, there were no supported standard evaluation method, thus making these technology not fully trusted. The draft Recommendation ITU-T X.gep: 'A guideline for evaluating telebiometric template protection techniques' which is currently under development at ITU-T SG 17 Question 9 (telebiometrics) aims to fill this need. ITU-T X.gep describes a general guideline for testing and reporting the performance of biometric template protection techniques based on biometric cryptosystem and cancellable biometrics. This guideline specifies two reference models for evaluation which use biometric template protection techniques in telebiometrics system. Then, it defines the metrics, procedures, and requirements for testing and evaluating the performance of the biometric template protection techniques. In addition, this Recommendation ITU-T X.gep has been approved at April 2012, and pre-published as ITU-T X.1091.
Influence of Precollege Experience on Self-Concept among Community College Students in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering

Female and minority students have historically been underrepresented in the field of science, mathematics, and engineering at colleges and universities. Although a plethora of research has focused on students enrolled in 4-year colleges or universities, limited research addresses the factors that influence gender differences in community college students in science, mathematics, and engineering. Using a target population of 1,599 aspirants in science, mathematics, and engineering majors in public community colleges, this study investigates the determinants of self-concept by examining a hypothetical structural model. The findings suggest that background characteristics, high school academic performance, and attitude toward science have unique contributions to the development of self-concept among female community college students. The results add to the literature by providing new theoretical constructs and the variables that predict students’ self-concept.
On delay stable communications in asynchronous networks

xii CHAPTER 1. OVERVIEW . 1 1.
Romantic Experiences and Depressive Symptoms: Testing the Intensifying Roles of Rejection Sensitivity and Relationship Commitment

Longitudinal associations between couple relationship satisfaction and dissolution, rejection sensitivity, and depression were investigated using structural equation modeling. Rejection sensitivity and relationship commitment were expected to exacerbate or attenuate some model paths. Participants were aged 17 to 21 (N = 179) in couple relationships. Relationship dissolution was less likely among those who were more satisfied and had lengthier relationships. A greater chance of dissolution was also associated with rejection sensitivity among those high in commitment but not among those who were low in commitment. With regards to predicting depression, rejection sensitivity, but not relationship factors, was directly associated with later depressive symptoms. When the current findings were integrated with previous research, it appears that negative relational thoughts and behaviours of high-rejection-sensitive persons were more likely to be activated and associated with mental health problems when personal relationship satisfaction or commitment was elevated.
Characterization of semen from the unimproved South African indigenous goats.

Résumé Research Application Summary Characterization of semen from the unimproved South African indigenous goats Matshaba, B.1, Schwalbach, L.M. 1, Mphaphathi, M.2, Nemes, C.3, Ngwane, C.2, Greyling, J.P.1, Váradi, É. 3 & Nedambale, T.L. 2 1University of the Free State, South Africa 2Agricultural Research Council, South Africa 3Biotalentum, Hungary *Corresponding author: Matshabab24@yahoo.co.uk In this study, we characterised semen of the unimproved South African (SA) indigenous goat with an aim of determining the potential of using modern techniques such as artificial insemination to multiply it. The SA unimproved goat is hardy and adaptable to the local harsh environment and is now attracting attention of commercial farmers. The average percentages of normal and live sperms (79% and 76.3%, respectively) for this goat fell within the range of good quality sperms. Morphological evaluations of the sperms also revealed that these goats had normal sperms, with abnormalities falling within the normal range for good quality sperms. Similarly sperm motility was also normal. From this study we conclude that the unimproved SA indigenous goat has potential to be multiplied and commercially produced using modern techniques.
Highly Efficient Sigma Point Filter for Spacecraft Attitude and Rate Estimation

Nonlinearities in spacecraft attitude determination problem has been studied intensively during the past decades. Traditionally, multiplicative extended Kalman filter_MEKF_algorithm has been a good solution for most nominal space missions. But in recent years, advances in space missions deserve a revisit of the issue. Though there exist a variety of advanced nonlinear filtering algorithms, most of them are prohibited for actual onboard implementation because of their overload computational complexity. In this paper, we address this difficulty by developing a new algorithm framework based on the marginal filtering principle, which requires only 4 sigma points to give a complete 6-state attitude and angular rate estimation. Moreover, a new strategy for sigma point construction is also developed to further increase the efficiency and numerical accuracy. Incorporating the presented framework and novel sigma points, we proposed a new, nonlinear attitude and rate estimator, namely, the Marginal Geometric Sigma Point Filter. The new algorithm is of the same precision as traditional unscented Kalman filters, while keeping a significantly lower computational complexity, even when compared to the reduced sigma point algorithms. In fact, it has truly rivaled the efficiency of MEKF, even when simple closed-form solutions are involved in the latter.
C OMMITMENT AND S ATISFACTION

Two studies examine the relation between perceived organizational morality and employee attitudes relevant to work motivation. Study 1 (N = 126) provides initial evidence that perceived organizational morality relates to pride in the organization as well as affective commitment and work satisfaction of employees. Study 2 (N = 649) further examines organizational Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities as a relevant source of perceived organizational morality that relates to employee‟s attitudes towards their work in the organization. SEM-modeling corroborates our reasoning that employees‟ perceptions of the organization‟s CSR activities affect the perceived morality of the organization, which in turn predicts employee commitment and satisfaction. Implications of these findings for theory development and organizational policy are discussed.
Toward Cognitively Constrained Models of Language Processing: A Review

Language processing is not an isolated capacity, but is embedded in other aspects of our cognition. However, it is still largely unexplored to what extent and how language processing interacts with general cognitive resources. This question can be investigated with cognitively constrained computational models, which simulate the cognitive processes involved in language processing. The theoretical claims implemented in cognitive models interact with general architectural constraints such as memory limitations. This way, it generates new predictions that can be tested in experiments, thus generating new data that can give rise to new theoretical insights. This theory-model-experiment cycle is a promising method for investigating aspects of language processing that are difficult to investigate with more traditional experimental techniques. This review specifically examines the language processing models of Lewis and Vasishth (2005), Reitter, Keller, and Moore (2011), and Van Rij, Van Rijn, and Hendriks (2010), all implemented in the cognitive architecture ACT-R (Anderson, Bothell, Byrne, Douglass, Lebiere, & Qin, 2004). These models are all limited by the assumptions about cognitive capacities provided by the cognitive architecture, but use different linguistic approaches. Because of this, their comparison provides insight into the extent to which assumptions about general cognitive resources influence concretely implemented models of linguistic competence. For example, the sheer speed and accuracy of human language processing is a current challenge in the field of cognitive modeling, as it does not seem to adhere to the same memory and processing capacities that have been found in other cognitive processes. Architecture-based cognitive models of language processing may be able to make explicit which language-specific resources are needed to acquire and process natural language. The review sheds light on cognitively constrained models of language processing from two angles: we discuss 1) whether currently adopted cognitive assumptions meet the requirements for language processing, and 2) how validated cognitive architectures can constrain linguistically motivated models, which, all other things being equal, will increase the cognitive plausibility of these models. Overall, the evaluation of cognitively constrained models of language processing will allow for a better understanding of the relation between data, linguistic theory, cognitive assumptions, and explanation.
Position tracking of linear piezoelectric motor using sliding mode control with closed-loop filtering

Piezoelectric motors are used for high precision positioning applications. It is quite difficult to get an exact model of the motor as non-linear phenomenon of inverse piezoelectric effect and friction are involved. Using linear controllers for precision positioning does not result good tracking performance. A sliding mode control based on simplified model of the motor is used. Due to modelling error and external disturbance such control suffers from chattering resulting in wear and tear. Thus a sliding mode control with closed-loop filtering is proposed for position tracking. This scheme has reduced chattering while maintaining robustness property of variable structure control. In this scheme a low pass filter is used to extract the equivalent control from the switching control signals and concurrently a second low pass filter is used to reduce the switching gain. With the extraction or equivalent control or disturbance and reduction of switching gain the chattering is kept at lower level. Experimental results are shown for position tracking of linear piezoelectric motor with and without disturbance. Tracking results observed proves the scheme is effective in extracting equivalent control, reduce chattering and robust to bounded disturbances.