Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chewing the Flower of Paradise Economic and Social Aspects of Qat use in the Horn of Africa

The purpose of the following paper is to evaluate the economic and social aspects of drug consumption in an African society. In particular, we investigate the relationship between wages and Qat consumption for the Djiboutian male household head and the social dimension of Qat use by using a system of simultaneous equations with Qat consumption and Wage as endogenous variables. Social interactions have been recognized as an important element in determining behavioral and economic outcomes. The contribution of this paper is to incorporate the presence of peer effects in the analysis of Qat consumption. Our findings suggest that the impact of wage on Qat consumption is positive and significant and that social aspects of Qat consumption play an important role in individual decisions.
Protective effects of Cyclea barbata Miers leaves against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in mice

One side effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is gastric mucosal irritation, possibly causing gastric ulcers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of cincau leaves (Cyclea barbata Miers) on aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in Balb/c mice. Twenty five Balb/c mice (20-30 g, 2-3 months old) were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group I-III were given cincau leave infusion at dosages of 2.5 mg/kg BW, 5 mg/kg BW, and 10 mg/kg BW, respectively, while group IV (positive control) received antacid at a dosage of 20 mg/kg BW, and group V (negative control) one milliliter of distilled water. All interventions were given by the oral route, once daily for seven days. On day 7, the mice were given aspirin (600 mg/kg BW) to induce gastric ulcer. After 30 minutes, all mice were sacrified, and their stomachs examined macroscopically for gastric ulcer, characterized by the presence of ulcer(s) and bleeding. Total ulcer scores were analyzed by one-way Anova to compare between-group protective effect of interventions against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer. Results showed that groups treated with cincau leaf infusion at all dosages experienced a gastric ulcer protective effect. There were significant differences (p=0.002) between treatments, compared to the negative control, but no significant differences (p>0.05) when compared to the positive control. Thus cincau leaves (Cyclea barbata Miers) at dosages of 2.5 mg/kg BW, 5 mg/kg BW, and 10 mg/kg BW, had a protective effect against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in mice. Higher dosages of cincau leaf infusion have a correspondingly higher gastric ulcer protective power.
The Relationship among Emotional Intelligence, Transformational Leadership and Effectiveness: An Empirical Assessment of Entrepreneurs in Rajasthan

The correlation between transformational leadership and emotional intelligence was investigated in this quantitative study of entrepreneurs. Also included in the research was the investigation of the relationship between each construct and effectiveness. The research sample was composed of 47 entrepreneurs in Rajasthan. An emotional intelligence score for the entrepreneurs was obtained by administering the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). Multi-Factor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) was used to measure the leadership of entrepreneurs. This yielded a mean transformational score, a leader effectiveness score, and scores for other non-transformational leadership styles. Correlations were analyzed to conclude that there is a positive relationship between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership. A positive co relational relationship between effectiveness and both emotional intelligence and transformational leadership was also evident. Analyzing the relationship between emotional intelligence and different non-transformational leadership styles yielded mixed results. Findings indicate a relationship exists between emotional intelligence and contingent reward leadership, while no significant relationship was evident between emotional intelligence and other leadership styles. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs could better develop effective leadership skills by becoming more aware of their strengths and weakness in the area of emotional intelligence, along with improving their transformational leadership behaviors.
Rapid Quantitative Detection of Salmonella enterica Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with Filter-cultivation (FISHFC) Method

Specific detection and enumeration of Salmonella enterica in food using conventional culture-based methods (CCBM) are time consuming and labor intensive. This study was conducted to develop a rapid S. enterica detection and enumeration method by combining fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with micro-colony formation culture (FISHFC). Specificity tests of the SAL343 probe for S. enterica detection revealed that SAL343-associated fluorescent micro-colonies were observed specifically for S. enterica, but not for any other organisms. This finding suggests that SAL343 is highly specific for detecting S. enterica using FISHFC. For validation, FISHFC with SAL343 was compared to CCBM, with multiple selective agar, using spiked food samples; no significant differences in enumeration were found between FISHFC and CCBM (p > 0.05). The FISHFC method allowed enumeration of S. enterica within 10 h while CCBM allowed enumeration within 5 days. Therefore, the FISHFC method has potential application for more rapid and specific enumeration of S. enterica in food samples compared to other available methods.
A difference calculus for structured data

Traditional software configuration management tools employ existing Diff tools to identify the difference between intermediate versions of a document such as a source code file. When any new data structure arises, developers have to create a version control tool for this specific structure. This paper introduces a universal approach to the creation of a version control tool for artifacts of any structured data. The approach taken is to develop a difference calculus for arbitrary objects based on their types. This calculus is built on a type system in which types are nested. By constructing types recursively, more structured data can be modelled and the difference between successive versions of objects can be identified.
Control functionals for Monte Carlo integration

A non‐parametric extension of control variates is presented. These leverage gradient information on the sampling density to achieve substantial variance reduction. It is not required that the sampling density be normalized. The novel contribution of this work is based on two important insights: a trade‐off between random sampling and deterministic approximation and a new gradient‐based function space derived from Stein's identity. Unlike classical control variates, our estimators improve rates of convergence, often requiring orders of magnitude fewer simulations to achieve a fixed level of precision. Theoretical and empirical results are presented, the latter focusing on integration problems arising in hierarchical models and models based on non‐linear ordinary differential equations.
30 GHz bandwidth 850 nm VCSEL with sub-100 fJ/bit energy dissipation at 25–50 Gbit/s

A high-speed and energy-efficient oxide-confined 850 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) for optical interconnects is presented. A record-high modulation bandwidth of 30 GHz is reached for a 3.5 mu m oxide aperture VCSEL, with 25 GHz bandwidth already at a bias current of 1.8 mA. The high bandwidth at low currents enables energy-efficient transmission with a dissipated heat energy in the VCSEL of <100 fJ/bit at 25, 40 and 50 Gbit/s.
Monetary Policy and the Natural Rate of Unemployment

This paper develops and tests a model in which the natural rate of unemployment depends on the objectives of monetary policymakers. Using UK quarterly data for 1965-2001, we find evidence that the priority given to stabilising the price level in the 1979-1987 and especially the post-1992 period led to a lower natural rate of unemployment
Enhancement of the Security of Pass-Go PatternPassword Using Shuffling Grid-Shapes

The trend of the graphical passwords is rising and every year a number of new password scheme are being launched by researchers from the various parts of the world.Password patterns, as used on current Android phones, and other shape-based authentication schemes are highly usable and memorable. In terms of security, they are rather weak since the shapes are easy to steal and reproduce. In this work, we introduce an implicit authentication approach that enhances password patterns with an additional security layer, transparent to the user. In short, users are not only authenticated by the shape they input, but also by the way they perform the input. The smart phones which use number based authentication scheme or a fixed point based android like pattern scheme are prone to the shoulder surfing attacks, which is a type of password guessing using social engineering as a hacking tool. We have proposed security critical authentication model for the smart phones, which is purely based on the uniqueness of the password combinations and ease of access. We have proposed and implemented a critical improvement in the existing pass-go pattern password based scheme. The improved scheme is using shuffling points and shuffling shapes based pattern password scheme is designed to mitigate the threat of the password guessing attacks (graphical) as well as encouraging developers to adopt much secure password schemes.
Localization Experiments Using Different 2 D Ambisonics Decoders

This study presents the results from localization experime nts of virtual sound sources using a 12 channel, nearly circular 2D Ambisonics sy stem. The perceived direction of the sound and a subjective rating of the localiz ation accuracy has been assigned to each virtual source. As playback methods, Ambis onic decoders with different order and spatial smoothing (basic, max rE, in-phase) are evaluated. In each case, the evaluation has been carried out over two liste ning positions: within and outside the Ambisonics listening area. The analysis sho w the reproduction accuracy of different Ambisonics variants within the studi ed playback situation, and allows for comparison. Furthermore, the test includes a n investigation concerning the presence of a compensation of loudspeaker signa l delays to the center.
Partial Purification and Biochemical Characterization of Antimicrobial and Analgesic Novel Bioactive Protein ( Substances ) from Silkworm ( Bombyx mori Linn . ) Fecal Matter

Silkworm fecal matter is considered to be one of the richest sources of antimicrobial and antiviral protein (substances), which was exploited by preparing fecal matter extract with 0.02 N phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The clear supernatant was subjected to 50% ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialyzed and lyophilized. The above preparation was subjected to further purification by column chromatography. SDS-PAGE analysis showed a major band at 35 kDa along with other associated high molecular weight proteins. The UV-visible spectrum of the partially purified protein indicated the association of tetrapyrrole pigment. This protein showed excellent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. Bacillus subtilis, and Streptococcus haemolytius and Gram-negative bacteria {Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae). Good analgesic activity was also assessed by conducting an acetic acid induced writhing test in mice.
Isotope Effects of coupled Nitrification and Denitrification during a River Flood Event

In oceans, estuaries, and rivers, nitrification is an important nitrate source, and stable isotopes of nitrate are often used to investigate recycling processes (e.g. remineralization, nitrification) in the water column. Nitrification is a two-steps-process, where ammonia is oxidized via nitrite to nitrate. Nitrite usually does not accumulate in natural environments, which makes it difficult to study the single isotope effect of ammonia oxidation 10 or nitrite oxidation in natural systems. However, during an exceptional flood in the Elbe River in June 2013, we found a unique co-occurrence of ammonium, nitrite and nitrate in the water column, returning towards normal summer conditions within one week. Over the course of the flood, we analysed the evolution of δ 15 N-NH4 + and δ 15 N-NO2 in the Elbe River. In concert with changes in suspended particulate matter (SPM) and δ 15 N-SPM, as well as nitrate concentration, δ 15 N-NO3 and 15 δ 18 O-NO3 , we calculated apparent isotope effects during nitrite and nitrate consumption. During the flood event, >97% of total reactive nitrogen was nitrate, which was leached from the catchment area and appeared to be subject to assimilation. Ammonium and nitrite concentrations increased to 3.4 μmol L -1 and 4.4 μmol L -1 , respectively, likely due to remineralization, nitrification and denitrification in the water column. δ 15 N-NH4 + values increased up to 12‰, and δ 15 N-NO2 ranged from -8.0‰ to -14.2‰. Based on this, we calculated an apparent 20 isotope effect 15 ε of -10.0±0.1‰ during nitrite consumption, as well as an isotope effect 15 ε of -4.0±0.1‰ and 18 ε of 5.3±0.1‰ during nitrate consumption. In a simple box-model, we evaluated different nitrite uptake processes and found that a regime with riparian denitrification and 22 to 36% nitrification fits best with measured data for the nitrite concentration decrease and isotope increase.
Dynamic time warping applied to detection of confusable word pairs in automatic speech recognition

In this paper we present a rnethod to predict if two words are likely to be confused by an Autornatic SpeechRecognition (ASR) systern. This method is based on the c1assical Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) technique. This technique, which is usually used in ASR to measure the distance between two speech signals, is usedhere to calculate the distance between two words. With this distance the words are c1assified as confusable or not confusable using a threshold. We have tested the methodin ac1assicalfalse acceptance/false rejection framework and the Equal Error Rate (EER) was measured to be less than 3%.
Market performance and price analysis of sesame in Myanmar.

บทคดยอ การศกษาวเคราะหถงบทบาทของตลาดและพฤตกรรมราคาของตลาดงาในประเทศพมา โดยใชขอมลจากการสมภาษณตวแทนผเกยวของในตลาดเมองมนดาเลย มงยว ปากกก และยางกง ระหวางเดอนพฤศจกายนถงธนวาคม พ. ศ. 2551 เพอศกษาสวนแบงราคาและกำไรเบองตนของคนกลางทงหมด โดยใชการวเคราะห cointegration และอาศยขอมลรายเดอนของราคาขายสงและราคาสงออกงาดำและงาขาวของเดอนกนยายน พ. ศ. 2545 ถงตลาคม 2551 ตามวธการของ Engle and Granger, error correction model และ Granger causality test จากการศกษาพบวา เกษตรกรทมนดาเลยไดรบสวนแบงกำไรสงสดทงสนคางาดำและงาขาว เกษตรกรไดรบสวนแบงกำไรสงสดจากการสงออกงาขาวไปประเทศจน สวนผสงออกไดรบสวนแบงสงสดจากการสงออกงาดำไปประเทศญปน พอคาขายสงไดรบสวนแบงราคาสงสดจากราคาสงออก ตลาดมนดาเลยมความเชอมโยงกนกบตลาดมงยวและตลาดปากกก ตลาดภายในประเทศทงหมดมความเชอมโยงกบตลาดสงออก เพราะผสงออกใชราคาขายสงภายในประเทศในการกำหนดราคาสงออก การแกไขการเบยงเบนจากดลยภาพระยะยาวของราคางาดำภายในประเทศ สามารถทำไดโดยลดราคางาดำในตลาดมนดาเลย และเพมราคางาดำในตลาดปากกก การปรบตวเขาสดลยภาพระยะยาวของราคาสงออกมความรวดเรวกวาการปรบตวของราคาในประเทศ การเพมขนของราคาสงออกและการลดลงของราคาขายสงภายในประเทศสามารถทำใหเกดดลยภาพระยะยาวของราคางาขาวและงาดำ คำสำคญ : เมลดงา, สวนเหลอมการตลาด, ความเชอมโยงของตลาด Abstract This study examines market performances and price behavior of sesame seeds in Myanmar. Data were obtained by interviewing representatives of the intermediaries of the sesame marketing channels in the townships of Mandalay, Monywa, Pakokku and Yangon during November to December 2008. Price spread, gross margin and share in the export price were calculated for each intermediary. Monthly wholesale prices from September 2002 to October 2008 of white and black sesame seeds and export price in selected markets were used for cointegration analysis. Engle and Granger’s cointegration method, error correction model and Granger causality test were applied for price analysis. Mandalay farmers got the highest gross margin for black and white sesame. Farmers received the highest gross margin for white sesame exported to China. Exporters received the highest gross margin for black sesame to Japan. Wholesalers received the highest share of the export price. Mandalay market was integrated with Monywa and Pakokku markets. All domestic markets were integrated with the export market because exporters used the domestic wholesale price to set the export price. Deviation from domestic long-run equilibrium of black sesame price could be corrected by decreasing price in Mandalay and increasing it in Pakokku market. Speed of adjustment for export price to correct the deviation from long-run equilibrium was faster than that of all domestic prices. Long-run equilibrium of both colored sesame prices could be obtained by increasing export price and decreasing domestic wholesale prices. Keywords : sesame seed, marketing margin, cointegration, error correction model
A Hybrid Approach for Class Imbalance Problem in Customer Churn Prediction: A Novel Extension to Under-sampling

Customer retention is becoming a key success factor for many business applications due to increasing market competition. Especially telecom companies are facing this challenge with a rapidly increasing number of service providers. Hence there is need to focus on customer churn prediction in order to detect the customers that are likely to churn i.e. switch from one service provider to another. Several data mining techniques are applied for classifying customers into the churn and non-churn category. But churn prediction applications comprise an imbalanced distribution of the dataset. One of the commonly used techniques to handle imbalanced data is re-sampling of data as it is independent of the classifier being used. In this paper, we develop a hybrid re-sampling approach named SOS-BUS by combining well known oversampling technique SMOTE with our novel under-sampling technique. Our methodology aims to focus on the necessary data of majority class and avoid their removal in order to overcome the limitation of random under-sampling. Experimental results show that the proposed approach outperforms the other reference techniques in terms of Area under ROC Curve (AUC).
Do the long-term unemployed adapt to unemployment?

The literature on the psychological consequences of unemployment suggests that an adaptation process takes place among the long-term unemployed. Their psychological well-being decreases strongly at the beginning of unemployment, to stabilize at a lower level after a certain time. This stabilization is due to an adaptation process, in which the unemployed decrease their job search behaviors and lower their employment commitment. In this cross-sectional study from Belgium, 563 short-term and 195 longterm unemployed are compared on psychological well-being, the experience of unemployment, employment commitment and job search behavior. The results are in line with the hypothesis of an adaptation process among the long-term unemployed. The short-term unemployed experienced more psychological distress than the long-term unemployed. The short-term unemployed also showed stronger employment commitment and more often applied for jobs. The results of some retrospective questions, in which the respondents had to compare their actual behaviors and well-being with those in the past, suggest that an adaptation process took place. Some policy recommendations are discussed.
Oil Shocks, Monetary Policy, and Economic Activity

Various reasons have been given to explain downturns in U.S. economic activity since World War II. Romer and Romer (1989) argued that these recessions were primarily associated with monetary contractions, while Hamilton (1983) and others attributed them to oil price increases. We investigate these competing hypotheses and find that when measures of oil prices are included, the Romers’ measure of monetary policy does not significantly explain economic downturns. However, alternative measures of monetary policy, specifically the federal funds rate the spread between the ten-year Treasury rate and the federal funds rate, are significantly linked to economic activity. We also find that Hamilton’s result that oil prices significantly influence real activity are robust to the inclusion of these alternative indicators of monetary policy.
Precipitation of protein, proximate analysis and amino acid composition of waste effluent of prawn processing (Pemendakan protein, analisis proksimat dan komposisi asid amino air buangan pemprosesan udang)

The precipitation of protein from waste water of shrimp processing was done by changing the pH from 9.2 to pH 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0 with 4 N HCl. The precipitation of protein at pH 4.0 gave the highest amount of precipitate as well as the highest crude protein content. Proximate analysis of the precipitate indicated the presence of 77.7% crude protein, 16.9% crude fat, 2.73% ash and 1.42% moisture on dry weight basis. The HPLC analysis indicated the presence of 18 amino acids (Asp, Glu, Ser, Thr, Arg, Gly, Ala, Pro, Val, Met, Leu, Ile, Phe, Cys, Lys, His, Trp and Tyr) in the precipitate. The total amount of free amino acids in the precipitate was 80.04 g ± 0.97/100 g samples with glutamic acid being the most abundant. Amino acid analysis also indicated that the precipitate contained high amount of essential amino acids (43.72%).
Bioinetric and Systems Security: An Overview of End-To-End Security System

As online security threats continue to spread, protecting valuable data becomes one of the security challenges businesses face in today’s business-to-customer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) ecommerce. Biometrics technology shows increased promise in enterprise network security. It will play a vital role as system developers fortify the security apparatus of its organization. In this paper, we analyze biometrics technologies and describe techniques that can be utilized to decrease the probabilities of online attacks.