Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and preliminary research on the measure properties of a perceptual and motor demands assessment protocol for virtual reality systems

The virtual reality has been frequently required in rehabilitation settings. However, it still lacks specificity, making it necessary to establish specific criteria to classify the most relevant aspects of electronic games to allow interventions based on virtual reality. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a “Perceptual and motor demands assessment protocol for virtual reality systems” and to investigate its content validity and intra and inter observer agreement. The protocol was created through a literature review including classical studies as well as a review of recent articles about motor behavior, physical training, cognitive neuroscience and virtual reality. The previous versions were presented in study group meetings and congresses, and modified accordingly to suggestions of experts. Three examiners used the final version to analyze twice the total of 20 videos of individuals in a virtual environment and answered a questionnaire about its content validity. Most of the obtained values were classified as “good” (concordance from 80% to 89%) or “excellent” (concordance from 90% to 100%) by the three examiners and the protocol’s content validity was adequate. The protocol is valid, applicable and practical for analyzing different requirements of electronic games in a virtual environment.
Mobile Assisted Game-based Chinese Character Recognition

This paper reports on the effects of two different dynamic grouping strategies in a mobile-assisted Chinese character learning game. The game application assigns each student a component of a Chinese character through their smartphones and requires them to form groups that can assemble a legitimate Chinese character using the components held by the group members. Sixteen Primary 3 (3 rd grade) students taking Chinese as a second language (L2) class involved in the study. Video-recordings of the game and the transcriptions of focus group interviews were qualitatively analyzed. The study aims to explore the patterns of social interactions during the game, especially on the varied impacts of the two different grouping rules (allowing versus not allowing each student to join more than one group at one time) on the student Ý Þ ß à á â behaviors and their learning gains.
Marine ice sheet stability

Abstract We examine the stability of two-dimensional marine ice sheets in steady state. The dynamics of marine ice sheets is described by a viscous thin-film model with two Stefan-type boundary conditions at the moving boundary or ‘grounding line’ that marks the transition from grounded to floating ice. One of these boundary conditions constrains ice thickness to be at a local critical value for flotation, which depends on depth to bedrock at the grounding line. The other condition sets ice flux as a function of ice thickness at the grounding line. Depending on the shape of the bedrock, multiple equilibria may be possible. Using a linear stability analysis, we confirm a long-standing heuristic argument that asserts that the stability of these equilibria is determined by a simple mass balance consideration. If an advance in the grounding line away from its steady-state position leads to a net mass gain, the steady state is unstable, and stable otherwise. This also confirms that grounding lines can only be stable in positions where bedrock slopes downwards sufficiently steeply.
Emerging Relationships Between Macroeconomic Indicators and Real Economic Activities in Ghanaian Economy

The aim of this study is to empirically estimate the sensitivity of inflation and interest rate together with some key macroeconomic variables on real economic activity index. Secondly, to investigate the direction of causality between inflation and interest rate, interest rate and real economic activity index, as well as between inflation and real economic activity index. Thirdly, to investigate how the real economic activity reacts to shocks from inflation and interest rate and other key macroeconomic variables. A deterministic time series regression model, vector autoregressive model, cointegration method and Granger Causality Analysis were implored in the analysis. The results show that there exists a unique long-run relationship between real economic activity and the other variables. Accordingly, inflation is identified as important determinant of real economic activity growth in Ghana. Conversely, real economic activity was found not to significantly determine inflation and interest rate within the period under investigation. The relationship between inflation and interest rate is, however, significant determined positive in either direction. This means that the link between inflation, interest rate and economic activity is not immediately automatic.
An Investigation into Researcher Identity in Qualitative Research Articles in Applied Linguistics Journals Through the Lens of Critical Discourse Analysis

Recently, constructing professional identity has received an increasing attention. By adopting and adapting analytical tools of Critical Discourse Analysis, this study explored the ways through which identities of the qualitative researchers had been projected in four applied linguistics articles. More specifically, the study intended to find out whether the authors of qualitative research articles in applied linguistics tended to prioritize particular linguistic elements in representing their identities. The detailed descriptive analyses based on four CDA and discourse analysis taxonomies revealed that qualitative researchers had a particular pattern to show human and nonhuman social actors in their writings. Human social actors (teachers and learners) were preferred to nonhuman social actors (textbooks), and teachers were the focus of attention more frequently than learners. Also, human social actors were considered as individuals rather than groups in the majority of cases. In addition, mental processes were found to be employed more than material processes in order to contribute to the subjective interpretation and greater visibility for the researchers. Although the linguistic devices which help human social actors to be seen more vividly like inclusion and activation were used more than other devices, elements like transition, self-mentions, hedges, and code glosses were also employed. The findings may be considered useful for teachers and educators, and may help them become more self-conscious about identity issues embedded in research articles.
Uncertainties, monetary policy and financial stability: challenges on inflation targeting

This work aims at presenting the challenges that inflation targeting central banks may face since uncertainties represent a harmful element for the effectiveness of monetary policy, and since financial instabilities may disturb the transmission mechanisms - in particular, the expectation channel - and thus the economic stability. Financial stability must not be considered as a simple goal of monetary policy, but a precondition for central banks operate their policies and reach the goals of inflation and output stability. The work identifies different sources of uncertainties that surround central banks' decisions; and approaches the role that inflation targeting central banks should play according to some basic principles that can serve as useful guides for central banks to help them achieve successful outcomes in their conduct of monetary policy.
An Analytic Formula of the Current Distribution for the VLF Horizontal Wire Antenna Above Lossy Half-Space

An analytical formula of the current distribution for the VLF horizontal wire antenna located above the ground is presented in this paper. This formula is suitable for the VLF horizontal antenna which is fed at arbitrary position and with arbitrary loaded impedance at the end. In order to validate the analytical formula, a numerical code based on MoM is also developed. The comparison between the results obtained by two methods proves the validity of the analytical formula proposed in this paper.
Spoke Model for Calculating Reliability Index and Safety Factor of Slopes

Considering the disadvantages of the slice method commonly employed in reliability analysis of slopes, a novel method (Spoke model) was proposed for reliability analysis and safety factor calculation of slopes in this work based on geometrical relationship among slices. The safety factor and the coefficients of limit state function of slopes could be achieved with the Gaussian integral method. The minimum safety factor and the minimum reliability index, as well as their corresponding coordinates on the slip surface, can be calculated with the improved JC method and the searching method. A novel and practical method for reliability analysis of slopes has been achieved. With this method the slice process could be avoided, which helps to eliminate some calculation errors caused by oversimplified assumption. Moreover, the explicit expression of safety factor in this method requires no repeated iterative solution, which is employed in traditional slice methods, as well as can be developed into a limit state function required by calculation of the reliability index. It is demonstrated that this method works efficiently and succinctly in evaluation of reliability index and safety factor for soil slopes.
Acidic Exopolysaccharide Flocculant Produced by the Fungus Mucor rouxii using Beet-Molasses

An acidicexopolysaccharide flocculant (EPF), produced by the fungus Mucor rouxii, was found to play an important role for protection of cells against abiotic stress such as extreme pH value. This EPF was produced during 48 hrs of growth, at 6% beet-molasses, pH 3.5 and 28oC. The chemical composition of beet-molasses includes heavy metals such as Zn2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, and Mn2+ which could be additional stress factors trigger the formation of the EPF. The fungus synthesized this EPF when exposed to low pH, as a form of self-protection. Different carbon sources induces the production of the EPF, however, beet molasses was the most effective and showed maximum production. Ammonium sulfate was theÂ preferred nitrogen source. Higher concentrations of beet molasses depressed fungal growth. The produced EPF exhibited flocculating properties; it possesses good flocculating activity for aggregation andÂ precipitation of charcoal particles where the flocculating activity reached approximately 99%. In addition, it showed maximum flocculating activity at acidic pH values and at high temperature. The main backbone of this EPF is a polysaccharide. Thus, by exploiting beet- molasses as inexpensive carbon source under acidic pH-shock, the fungus produced an EPF characterized by good flocculating properties. It could be utilized in the area of waste-water treatment, in drink water processing as well as in industrial fields.
ON THE OPTIMAL DIVISION OF AN EMPIRICAL DISTRIBUTION

Examples of distributions of this kind, and consequences for the potential categorisations, are discussed. In summary, the methodology proposed, including the criterion function, constitutes a basis for the categorisation with respect to the cumulative distribution, and a tool for evaluating the rationality of the way, in which the distributions are obtained.
Different Atmospheric Turblence Levels and Noise Effects on Signal Transmission Efficiency in Terrestrial Free Space Optical Communication Networks

This paper has presented a analytical model description of free space optical (FSO) communication networks transmission performance under different atmospheric turbulence levels and noise effects. Link margin, signal transmission, signal quality, received signal power, particle size distribution, optical depth, transmission data rate, signal time delay spread, signal noise and signal attenuation are deeply studied over wide range of the affecting parameters. As well as the signal time delay spread and signal to noise ratio are deeply studied with using on-off keying (OOK) modulation scheme and are compared with their simulation results by using binary phase shift keying modulation technique.
Kernel-based anatomically-aided diffuse optical tomography reconstruction

Image reconstruction in diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is a challenging task because its inverse problem is nonlinear, ill-posed, and ill-conditioned. Anatomical guidance from imaging modalities with high spatial resolution can substantially improve the quality of reconstructed DOT images. In this paper, inspired by the kernel methods in machine learning, we proposed a kernel method to introduce anatomical guidance into the DOT image reconstruction. In this kernel method, the optical absorption coefficient at each finite element node is represented as a function of a set of features obtained from anatomical images such as computed tomography (CT) images. Compared with Laplacian approaches that include structural priors, the proposed method does not require image segmentation. The proposed kernel method is validated with numerical simulations of 3D DOT reconstruction using synthetic CT data. 5% Gaussian noise was added to both the numerical DOT measurements and the simulated CT images. The proposed method was also validated by an agar phantom experiment with the anatomical guidance from a cone beam CT scan. The effects of voxel size and number of nearest neighbors in the kernel method on the reconstructed DOT images were studied. The results indicate that the spatial resolution and the accuracy of the reconstructed DOT images have been improved substantially after applying the anatomical guidance with the proposed kernel method comparing to the case without guidance. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the kernel method was able to utilize clinical breast CT images as anatomical guidance without segmentation. In addition, we found that the proposed kernel method was robust to the false positive guidance in the anatomical image.
On the causal effect of schooling on smoking: evidence without exogeneity conditions

The paper explores weak monotonicity and convexity assumptions in a model for the decision to smoke with endogenous schooling. Theories of productive and allocative efficiency as well as the influence of time preferences are accounted for in order to derive testable constraints that bound the effect of schooling on smoking. Data from the Swiss Health Survey indicate that the degree of endogeneity depends on the level of schooling, and that schooling effects are likely heterogeneous with a reduction of the propensity to smoke by at most 5.9 percentage points.
The 2013 Mw 6.2 Khaki‐Shonbe (Iran) Earthquake: Insights into seismic and aseismic shortening of the Zagros sedimentary cover

Determining the relationship between folding and faulting in fold and thrust belts is important for understanding the growth of geological structures, the depth extent of seismic slip, and consequently, the potential earthquake hazard. The 2013 Mw 6.2 Khaki‐Shonbe earthquake occurred in the Simply Folded Belt of the Zagros Mountains, Iran. We combine seismological solutions, aftershock relocations, satellite interferometry, and field observations to determine fault geometry and its relationship with the structure, stratigraphy, and tectonics of the central Zagros. We find reverse slip on two along‐strike, southwest dipping fault segments. The main shock rupture initiated at the lower northern end of the larger northwest segment. Based upon the hypocenter and rupture duration, slip on the smaller southern segment is likely aseismic. Both faults verge away from the foreland, toward the high‐range interior, contrary to the fault geometries depicted in many structural cross sections of the Zagros. The modeled slip occurred over two mutually exclusive depth ranges above 10 km, resulting in long (∼16 km), narrow rupture segments (∼7 km). Aftershocks cluster in the depth range 3–14 km. This indicates reverse slip and coseismic shortening occurred mostly or exclusively in the sedimentary cover, with slip distributions likely to be lithologically controlled in depth by the Hormuz salt at the base of the sedimentary cover (∼10–12 km), and the Kazhdumi Formation mudrocks at upper levels (∼4–5 km). Our findings suggest lithology plays a significant role in the depth extent of slip found in reverse faults in folded belts, providing an important control on the potential size of earthquakes.
A laboratory survey of the thermal desorption of astrophysically relevant molecules

The thermal desorption characteristics of 16 astrophysically relevant species from laboratory analogues of the icy mantles on interstellar dust grains have been surveyed in an extensive set of preliminary temperature programmed desorption experiments. The species can be separated into three categories based on behaviour. Water-like species have a single relevant desorption coincident with water. CO-like species show the volcano desorption and co-desorption of trapped molecules, monolayer desorption from the surface of water ice, and multilayer desorption if initially present in sufficient abundance in an outer layer separated from the water ice. Intermediate species show the two desorptions of trapped molecules, and may show a small monolayer desorption for molecules small enough to have a limited ability to diffuse through the structure of porous amorphous water ice. Methods by which the results obtained under laboratory conditions can be adapted for astrophysical situations are discussed.
Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B by nano bismuth oxide: Process modeling by response surface methodology (RSM)

The photocatalytic activity of nano-Bi2O3 was evaluated in degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) as a model of dye pollutant from waste waters. Nano sized Bi2O3 was synthesized using the chemical precipitation method. The as-prepared sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). Structural analysis revealed that Bi2O3 contains a unique well-crystallized phase and the average crystallite size of 22.4 nm. The SEM analysis revealed that the size of Bi2O3 particles was mainly in the range of 16-22 nm. Response surface methodology was applied to design experiments and to optimize the photocatalytic process. A second order model was developed and a good correlation was found between experimental and predicted responses, confirming the reliability of the model. The optimal condition for maximum degradation of values of RhB resulted in initial concentration, irradiation time, initial pH and catalyst dosage of 12.5 mg.L-1, 120 min, 4.6-7 and 0. 75 g.L-1, respectively. The Bi2O3 nanoparticles exhibited an efficient ultraviolet photocatalytic activity so that under optimal condition more than 95% of Rhodamine B was decolorized. The Pareto analysis indicated that the order of relative importance of the input variables on the dye degradation efficiency is as follows: Bi2O3 dosage > pH ≈ irradiation time >initial concentration of the RhB.
Quality of Soppressata salami from Pugliese Pigs as Affected by Rearing System

Twenty four male pigs were assigned to two groups of 12 each during the last fattening phase: one group was reared outdoor (OUT group) and fed on natural pasture, while the other group was reared indoor (IND group) and fed on commercial feedstuff. Meat was processed into Soppressata salami according to traditional protocol. Meat and Soppressata salami were analyzed for nutritional, textural and color parameters. Meat and Soppressata salami showed significantly higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in OUT than that in IND group. Ameliorated nutritional indexes in terms of n-6/n-3 ratio, and thrombogenic index were found both in meat and Soppressata salami in OUT group. Texture Profile Analysis showed lower values in the tested samples from OUT thanINDgroup. Lightness, redness, and chroma parameters were higher both in meat and Soppressata salami in OUT group; whereas hue parameter was lower in Soppressata salami from OUT pigs. Outdoor rearing improved fatty acid profile, nutritional indexes, color and mechanical properties of pork meat thanks to natural pasture, greater space allowance and physical exercise of animal during the fattening phase. Meat features strictly affected the quality of the Soppressata salami produced by using traditional protocol.
A Design of Low-pass Filter with Wide Stopband and Sharp Roll-off Rate Using Series LC Tanks Resonator

─ In this letter, a lowpass filter (LPF) using resonators synthesized with series LC tank patches has been proposed. Each of the employed LC tank is composed of a high-low impedance lines, which have been mirrored to create the patches of the main resonance cells. Using this kind of resonator combining with eight suppressing cells leads to designing a LPF with specifications such as ultra-wide stopband, sharp cut-off and an acceptable return loss in the pass band. The -3 dB cut-off frequency of the proposed LPF is located in 2.4 GHz. The spurious frequencies have been suppressed in the stop-band region from 2.66 up to 23 GHz with a suppression level of -35 dB. Moreover, the transition band has been measured from 2.4 to 2.67 GHz with corresponding attenuation levels of -3 and -40 dB, respectively. To clarify the performance of each section and how they affect the frequency response the equivalent LC circuit of resonators and the final design have been obtained, separately. Index Terms ─ High-low impedance lines, LC tank patches, Lowpass Filter (LPF).
Public Attitudes and Gender Policy Regimes: Coherence and Stability in Hard Times

Drawing upon data from the European Social Survey on public attitudes and social welfare, this paper analyzes the extent to which attitudes toward gender equality in work and family life vary among 13 countries which represent different welfare regimes. The analysis also examines how these attitudes have changed with the onset of the economic recession in 2007. The findings suggest that public attitudes toward gender issues are largely consistent with welfare regimes, and most notably, reveal a clear direction of moving away from traditional views of gender, family and work issues in economic hard times.
The use of extreme value statistics in risk management of the electricity market

In this thesis, we investigate the success of extreme value theory in managing electricity price risk. We specifically deals with the behaviour of the tails of financial time series.The theory provides well established statistical models for which extreme risk measures like the Value at Risk, Expected Shortfall and Return level can be computed. We use daily electricity price data from Nord Pool and compare distributions that effectively estimates the tail quantile. We propose a new method which employs extreme value for estimating the tail risk measure. Our method provides the exact empirical distribution without independence assumption and applicable to non-stationary data. This method is briefly known as ACER. We show that the recently proposed approach gives better tail quantile estimates, have nice features and it is easy to implement.
Players Movements and Team Shooting Performance: a Data Mining approach for Basketball

In the domain of Sport Analytics, Global Positioning Systems devices are intensively used as they permit to retrieve players' movements. Team sports' managers and coaches are interested on the relation between players' patterns of movements and team performance, in order to better manage their team. In this paper we propose a Cluster Analysis and Multidimensional Scaling approach to find and describe separate patterns of players movements. Using real data of multiple professional basketball teams, we find, consistently over different case studies, that in the defensive clusters players are close one to another while the transition cluster are characterized by a large space among them. Moreover, we find the pattern of players' positioning that produce the best shooting performance.