Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolving Diversity II: Participation of students with an immigrant background in European Higher Education

EQUNET is a 3-year project researching the state of equity in Higher Education in Europe. The project aims to create an evidence-based policy advocacy network, so as to promote its conclusions as a way to promote better-informed policy making on equity issues in Europe. This is the second of three reports, and is dedicated to improving the picture of equity in access to Higher Education in Europe for persons of immigrant origin. The report provides a theoretical framework for discussion of the topic, a statistical cross-country analysis of access-figures, as well as detailed country-studies for Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom. It is the result of a year of research conducted by a multi-disciplinary team of researchers originating from across Europe. (DIPF/Orig.)
Optimization of induced crystallization reaction in a novel process of nutrients removal coupled with phosphorus recovery from domestic wastewater

Abstract Phosphorus removal and recovery from domestic wastewater is urgent nowadays. A novel process of nutrients removal coupled with phosphorus recovery from domestic sewage was proposed and optimization of induced crystallization reaction was performed in this study. The results showed that 92.3% of phosphorus recovery via induced Hydroxyapatite crystallization was achieved at the optimum process parameters: reaction time of 80 min, seed crystal loads of 60 g/L, pH of 8.5, Ca/P mole ratio of 2.0 and 4.0 L/min aeration rate when the PO43--P concentration was 10 mg/L in the influent, displaying an excellent phosphorus recovery performance. Importantly, it was found that the effect of reaction temperature on induced Hydroxyapatite crystallization was slight, thus favoring practical application of phosphorus recovery method described in this study. From these results, the proposed method of induced HAP crystallization to recover phosphorus combined with nutrients removal can be an economical and effective technology, probably favoring the water pollution control and phosphate rock recycle.
Research on the Steering Control System of Rice Transplanter based on Fuzzy Immunity PID

In order to realize the automatic driving of the machinery working in the paddy field, using the stepping motor as the driving power and taking 2ZG630A high speed rice transplanter as the study platform, the steering mechanism of the rice transplanter was improved in this study. The controller with the fuzzy immunity PID control algorithm was designed and applied in the navigation control system of the rice transplanter as well. The test result indicated that the course deviation can be controlled within 0.5° and 1.1° and its control can be realized in 4 and 6 sec separately when the rice transplanter was driven in the cement floor or the paddy field by the speed of 0.7 m/sec. It also indicated that the steering control system of rice transplanter based on fuzzy immunity PID can satisfy the automatic navigation request of the vehicles used in the agriculture.
The Time Dimension of Visual Attention Models

This thesis explores methodologies for scanpath prediction on images using deep learning frameworks. As a preliminary step, we analyze the characteristics of the data provided by different datasets. We then explore the use of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long-Short-Term-Memory (LSTM) newtworks for scanpath prediction. We observe that these models fail due to the high stochastic nature of the data. With the gained insight, we propose a novel time-aware visual saliency representation named Saliency Volume, that averages scanpaths over multiple observers. Next, we explore the SalNet network and adapt it for saliency volume prediction, and we find several ways of generating scanpaths from saliency volumes. Finally, we fine-tuned our model for scanpaht prediction on 360-degree images and successfully submitted it to the Salient360! Challenge from ICME. The source code and models are publicly available at https://github.com/massens/saliency-360salient-2017.
RF performance comparison of several H plane rectangular waveguide filters loaded with circular dielectric posts

The paper presents a RF performance comparison between several H plane geometry filters based on rectangular waveguide technology. The basic all metal filter of resonant cavities is compared to filters loaded with circular dielectric resonators, either in propagative or evanescent mode. The use of these resonators is claimed to reduce the length of the filter, increase the rejection band until the first spurious frequency and to improve the voltage magnification factor (VMF), at the cost of increasing the losses. So, in order to properly asses and quantify the possible advantages of these filters, an accurate analysis of six of them has been developed. All the filters have been designed to have the same electrical response, and the length, losses, rejection band, VMF and fabrication cost for all the filters are compared. Index Terms Rectangular waveguides, waveguide filters, dielectric loaded waveguides, voltage magnification factor
Combining asymptotic linearized inversion and full waveform inversion

S U M M A R Y A method for combining the asymptotic operator designed by Beylkin (Born migration operator) for the solution of linearized inverse problems with full waveform inversion is presented. This operator is used to modify the standard L2 norm that measures the distance between synthetic and observed data. The modified misfit function measures the discrepancy of the synthetic and observed data after they have been migrated using the Beylkin operator. The gradient of this new misfit function is equal to the cross-correlation of the single scattering data with migrated/demigrated residuals. The modified misfit function possesses a Hessian operator that tends asymptotically towards the identity operator. The trade-offs between discrete parameters are thus reduced in this inversion scheme. Results on 2-D synthetic case studies demonstrate the fast convergence of this inversion method in a migration regime. From an accurate estimation of the initial velocity, three and five iterations only are required to generate high-resolution P-wave velocity estimation models on the Marmousi 2 and synthetic Valhall case studies.
Comparing measurement techniques of accommodative amplitude among school children

Background: There is no consensus on the precise method of measuring amplitude of accommodation (AA) in routine clinical examination. In addition, studies have queried the use of Hofstetter’s equation for computing the expected AA for different populations. This study was designed to compare four subjective methods of AA measurement in children and results from each method with Hofstetter’s calculated average AA. Methods: An evenly distributed sample of 103 children aged 6-17 years attending schools in Benin City participated in this study. Amplitude of accommodation measurements—push-up (PU), push-down PD), minus lens to blur (MLB), and modified push-up (MPU)—were carried out in children with emmetropia. The values obtained for each method were compared with Hofstetter’s calculated average values. Agreement among each method was investigated using BlandAltman plots. Results: The means ± SD obtained for the right eye of subjects in Diopters (D) were: PU (12.69 ± 3.16), PD (12.50 ± 2.95), MLB (11.83 ± 2.99), and MPU (11.88 ± 2.88). Using the t-test, significant differences were found between all groups except the MLB and MPU pair. Hofstetter’s calculated average differed significantly from results obtained using each method (P<0.0001). Bland-Altman plots showed levels of agreement between the PU and PD and the MLB and MPU methods. Conclusion: Given the difference in results between some of the measurement techniques and with Hofstetter’s calculated average AA values, caution should be taken when making decisions concerning AA measurements and accommodative anomalies in school children aged 6-17 years in Benin-city, Nigeria.
Inflation Targeting and the Anchoring of Long-Run Inflation Expectations: International Evidence from Daily Bond Yield Data

We gauge the extent to which inflation targeting helps anchor long-run inflation expectations by evaluating the behavior of daily bond yield data for the United States, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Using the difference between long-term forward rates on nominal and indexed bonds as an indicator of compensation for expected inflation and inflation risk at that horizon, we examine the extent to which forward inflation compensation moves in response to surprises in monetary policy and in macroeconomic data releases. We find that U.S. inflation compensation exhibits highly significant movements in response to economic news. In contrast, our results indicate that long-run inflation expectations are firmly anchored in Sweden and the United Kingdom: in both cases, forward inflation compensation is generally invariant not only to domestic news but also to Euro Area and U.S. economic news. Finally, we find a handful of apparently anomalous results—for example, U.K. inflation compensation responds negatively to domestic surprises in retail sales—that appear to be consistent with the influence of financial market factors rather than changing perceptions about long-run inflation.
Mathematical Model for Errors Estimation of Difference of Objects’s Elevation Determination Using Flying Platform

In this paper the method for determination of the object’s elevation on the ground as well as the mathematical model for error estimation of object’s determination are suggested. It is assumed that the object is situated beyond line-of-sight or, whatsoever, beyond the horizon. It has been obtained the analytic expression for error estimation of the object’s elevation determination using flying platform in case of the known inaccuracy of goniometry and distance measures. The effect of inaccuracy of goniometry and distance measurements on the error estimation of the object’s elevation determination is traced. Analytic expressions of evaluating requirements for accuracy of goniometer and distance measurer are deduced. These requirements will ensure the specified accuracy of the object’s elevation determination. A relationship between object’s elevation determination and its location with respect to the observing station and flying platform is investigated.
Why Don't We All Just Do the Same? Understanding Variation in PBL Implementation from the Perspective of Translation Theory

Variations in PBL implementation need to be seen as the norm rather than the exception, since local PBL practice will always diverge from the “original model”. In order to understand this phenomenon, this conceptional paper first systematizes variations in PBL implementation at the inter-institutional, intra-institutional, and individual level. Then, variation in PBL implementation is discussed through the lens of translation theory as part of the research tradition of Scandinavian Intuitionalism. Resulting insights are applied to develop guiding questions designed to help leaders and PBL researchers to reflect on PBL implementation processes. Uncharted territories in PBL implementation research are identified, and it is argued that researching PBL implementation can serve as a blueprint to understand educational change dynamics in institutions of higher education.
Making STEM Equitable: An Active Learning Approach to Closing the Achievement Gap

Active learning is a pedagogical approach which engages students in the learning process, aiming to optimize comprehension of educational material. Meta-analysis of current research shows maximum impact when applied to STEM education, especially for underrepresented minority (URM) students and students with a low GPA. This study focuses on student success, progression, completion and STEM interest within the General Chemistry course sequence at Pasadena City College, which has a 51% Hispanic student population. Data from classes implementing active learning pedagogy consistently had higher success and progression rates, as well as increased progression success from General Chemistry 1 to General Chemistry 2, with a greater positive impact and completion success among Hispanic students compared to students from Asian populations, whose progression success was negatively impacted through use of active learning pedagogy in comparison to traditional lecture-based coursework. Comparison of scores for the American Chemical Society General Chemistry Exams, from this community college and at a national level, indicates active learning students perform equally well on chemistry standardized tests. In total, active learning classes were most beneficial to Hispanic students, and should be designed according to course level, be scaffolded to future coursework to maximize impact through development of STEM active learning pathways in which students are immersed in active learning classrooms continuously through undergraduate STEM academic coursework.
The Rotten Kid Theorem-Entry for the New New Palgrave

This paper is a survey of the literature on the Gary Becker's Rotten Kid Theorem Copyright Information: All rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. Contact the author or original publisher for any necessary permissions. eScholarship is not the copyright owner for deposited works. Learn more at http://www.escholarship. org/help_copyright. html#reuse The Rotten Kid Theorem–Entry for the New New
Policy Autonomy, Coordination or Harmonization in the Persistently Heterogeneous European Union?

Abstract Within the context of the continuing integration process in Europe, this paper addresses the question of whether policies in the EU should head towards autonomy, coordination or harmonization. Taking the path dependence effect into account, it is the authors’ opinion that Europe has gone too far in its integration process to be able to continue with policies being fully under the competences of individual member countries. However, the habitual question still arises: does fiscal policy need to be harmonized to a level comparable to monetary policy as these two policies, necessarily, complement each other? This paper argues that it does not. There are three main arguments discussed. Firstly, the authors build on the theory of fiscal federalism. Secondly, there are significantly different regimes of welfare states and extents of social policies among European countries, which strongly determine the character of public finance. And thirdly, the tax systems across Europe are also highly divergent, with many features of continuing tax competition.
Cardiopulmonary exercise tests of adolescent elite sport climbers – a comparison of the German junior national team in sport climbing and Nordic skiing

Introduction: All the research investigating the cardiopulmonary capacity in climbers is focused on predictors for climbing performance. The effects of climbing on the cardiovascular system in adolescents climbing at an elite level (national team) have not been evaluated.Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) performed on a cycle ergometer during the annual medical examination of the entire German Junior National climbing team on one occasion and for a selected subgroup on two occasions spaced two years apart. The data from the subgroup was compared to an age- and gender-matched control of Nordic skiers from the German Junior National Nordic skiing team. Results: 47 climbers (20 girls, 27 boys) were examined once. The VO2peak achieved by the athletes was 41.3 mL kg−1 min−1 (boys) and 39.8 mL kg−1min−1 (girls). 8 boys and 6 girls were tested twice over a period of 27.5 months. The parameters of the exercise test measured on both occasions were significantly lower than those of the 8 male and 6 female Nordic skiers. There was no change with respect to any variables (e.g. VO2peak, peak work load, peak heart rate, peak lactate or O2 pulse) over the examined period. Conclusions: The elite climbers investigated in this study showed comparable VO2peak values to athletes from team and combat sports. The Nordic skiers to which they were compared showed significantly higher values consistant with the fact that this is an endurance sport. Even though the cardiopulmonary measurements of the Nordic skiers still improved after two years of training, no adaptations could be observed in the elite climbers.
Performance Evaluation of Dynamic Scheduling for Grid Systems

Schedulers are applications responsible for job management including resource allocation for a specific job, splitting them to ensure parallel task execution, data management, event correlation, and service-level management capabilities. When Grids allotted a number of jobs, such applications have to consider the overhead time, cost regarding to and from Grid resources, job transmission and at job processing, Grid resources for allocation of the jobs. In this paper, it is proposed to investigate the performance of dynamic scheduling algorithm of schedulers for executing different number of tasks is evaluated.
Growth and application of planar III-V semiconductor nanowires grown with MOCVD

The semiconductor nanowire has been widely studied over the past decade and identified as a promising nanotechnology building block with application in photonics and electronics. The flexible bottom-up approach to nanowire growth allows for straightforward fabrication of complex 1D nanostructures with interesting optical, electrical, and mechanical properties. III–V nanowires in particular are useful because of their direct bandgap, high carrier mobility, and ability to form heterojunctions and have been used to make devices such as light-emitting diodes, lasers, and field-effect transistors. However, crystal defects are widely reported for III–V nanowires when grown in the common out-of-plane 〈1 1 1〉B direction. Furthermore, commercialization of nanowires has been limited by the difficulty of assembling nanowires with predetermined position and alignment on a wafer-scale. In this thesis, planar III–V nanowires are introduced as a low-defect and integratable nanotechnology building block grown with metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Planar GaAs nanowires grown with gold seed particles self-align along the 〈1 1 0〉 direction on the (0 0 1) GaAs substrate. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that planar GaAs nanowires are nearly free of crystal defects and grow laterally and epitaxially on the substrate surface. The nanowire morphology is shown to be primarily controlled through growth temperature and an ideal growth window of 470 ± 10 ◦C is identified for planar GaAs nanowires. Extension of the planar growth mode to other materials is demonstrated through growth of planar InAs nanowires. Using a sacrificial layer, the transfer of planar GaAs nanowires onto silicon substrates with control
Updating Human Capital Decisions: Evidence from SAT Score Shocks and College Applications

We estimate whether students update the colleges to which they consider applying in response to large, unanticipated information shocks generated by the release of SAT scores—a primary factor in admission decisions. Exploiting population data on the timing of college selection and a policy that induces students to choose colleges prior to taking the exam, we find that students update their portfolios in terms of selectivity, tuition, and sector. However, the magnitude of updating is too modest to significantly reduce unexplained variation across students, suggesting that nonacademic factors are the dominant determinants of college match.
Quenching the Kitaev honeycomb model

I studied the non-equilibrium response of an initial Néel state under time evolution with the Kitaev honeycomb model. With isotropic interactions (J_x = J_y = J_zJx=Jy=Jz) the system quickly loses its antiferromagnetic order and crosses over into a steady state valence bond solid, which can be inferred from the long-range dimer correlations. There is no signature of a dynamical phase transition. Upon including anisotropy (J_x = J_y \neq J_zJx=Jy≠Jz), an exponentially long prethermal regime appears with persistent magnetization oscillations whose period derives from an effective toric code.
A REVIEW OF LINE SEARCH SEQUENTIAL QUADRATIC PROGRAMMING AND IT IS RATE OF CONVERGENCE

In the last few years the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) methods proposed by Wilson and developed by Han and Powell have widely been recognized as most effective methods for solving nonlinearly constrained optimization problems which can be classified into two categories trust region and line search methods. In this paper we give a review on line search algorithms for equality constrained optimization and prove that the sequence generated by SQP using a line search under certain conditions has global and local superlinear convergence
Twisted Variational Sequential Monte Carlo

Latent variable models have achieved wide-ranging success in generative modeling of images, speech, and video. Recent work has developed specialized objectives for fitting sequential latent variable models [1, 2, 3], but these methods are based on filtering sequential Monte Carlo (SMC), which can prevent them from successfully modeling data with long-term dependencies. In this work, we introduce twisted variational sequential Monte Carlo (TVSMC), a family of variational objectives that use learned tilting functions to approximate smoothing SMC without direct access to the smoothing distributions. We demonstrate that models trained with TVSMC can outperform models trained with VSMC, and theoretically, the TVSMC bound can become tight.
Currents and associated electron scattering and bouncing near the diffusion region at Earth's magnetopause

Based on high‐resolution measurements from NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale mission, we present the dynamics of electrons associated with current systems observed near the diffusion region of magnetic reconnection at Earth's magnetopause. Using pitch angle distributions (PAD) and magnetic curvature analysis, we demonstrate the occurrence of electron scattering in the curved magnetic field of the diffusion region down to energies of 20 eV. We show that scattering occurs closer to the current sheet as the electron energy decreases. The scattering of inflowing electrons, associated with field‐aligned electrostatic potentials and Hall currents, produces a new population of scattered electrons with broader PAD which bounce back and forth in the exhaust. Except at the center of the diffusion region the two populations are collocated and appear to behave adiabatically: the inflowing electron PAD focuses inward (toward lower magnetic field), while the bouncing population PAD gradually peaks at 90° away from the center (where it mirrors owing to higher magnetic field and probable field‐aligned potentials).
IMPACT OF COST REDUCTION TECHNIQUES ON BUSINESS STAKEHOLDERS IN THE NIGERIAN UPSTREAM HYDROCARBON SECTOR

In the recent past, the oil and gas upstream sector was faced with challenges of fall in revenue due to fall in crude oil prices and the continuous increase in costs of finding and lifting oil. The expectations of business stakeholders are high on the operators. The research was designed to examine Impact of cost reduction techniques on business stakeholders in the Nigerian upstream hydrocarbon sector. The objectives of the research were achieved using a quantitative method. A survey was conducted on 7 randomly sampled oil service companies in the Nigerian upstream sector: A total of 70 questionnaires were sent by mail to the responded and 60 responded representing 86% response rate. The responses elicited were analysed using Chi-Square test method of data analysis. The study revealed that there was no statistical evidence that cost reduction measures used by oil and gas companies operating in the Nigeria upstream sector has any significant impact on business stakeholders.