Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decision Support System of Product Development Based on Multi-agent

In order to improve success rate of new product development, an intelligent decision support system based on multi-agent for new product development is presented. The dialogue layer, problem decomposition layer, control layer and problem solving layer in the decision process are studied; corresponding decision support apply modules are built based on the design idea of decision support system with multistructure through the share of resource and information; the design principles of product development decision support system and general design schemes are proposed. The system is comprised by eight modules of data collection, data management, statistical analysis, breakeven analysis, risk prediction analysis, resource optimization scheduling, expert system and information exchange, and the functions of each module are designed and described, and the solutions of decision based on MAS are proposed.
Sports Economics

The sports industry presents many unusual and interesting opportunities for the application of economic theory and econometrics. In 15 professional papers, this book addresses current economic issues in the industry, including the problem of competitive balance, the location of professional sports teams and their impact on local communities, managerial decision making, and issues related to labor markets. Extending the previous research in sports economics, the papers reflect the most recent applications of economic theory in this area. The book will be a valuable resource for professional economists working on sports economics topics. In two opening chapters on competitive balance, the contributors develop a model for college football and examine the impact of balance on attendance in major league baseball. In a section on the location of professional sports teams, the chapters then develop a model to predict the location of expansion teams, make econometric estimates of the impact of Super Bowls on the host city, and analyze the ownership of stadiums and arenas. Managerial decision making is discussed in chapters that examine alternative econometric models of production in baseball, use a production function model to analyze technological change in Major League Baseball, examine the management of team streaks, consider the competitive balance between American and National Leagues, analyze the efficiency of player trades in the National Basketball Association, and estimate the impact of participation in inter-collegiate sports on academic performance. In the final section on labor markets, the contributors estimate the impact of owner collusion on baseball players' salaries, consider the impact of the new collective bargaining agreement in Major League Baseball, analyze the impact of being a union representative, and examine the impact of the National Football League's salary cap on player's salaries.
Whispering Gallery Microcavity Nanosensor with In-Line Interferometer

Here we demonstrate a simple but robust interferometry scheme that connects an ultra-high quality factor whispering gallery micro cavity to a FC/PC connectorized single mode fibre. With this scheme, single Polystyrene beads with a radius as small as 25 nm can be detected at a signal-to-noise ratio of around 3.
Combinatorial aspects of nodal curves

To any nodal curve C one associates its degree class group, a combinatorial invariant which plays an important role in the compactification of the generalized Jacobian of C and in the construction of the Neron model of the Picard variety of families of curves having C as special fibre. In this paper we study this invariant. More precisely, we construct a family of graphs having cyclic degree class group and we provide a recursive formula for the cardinality of the degree class group of the members of the family. Moreover, we analyse the behaviour of the degree class group under standard geometrical operations on the curve, such as the blow up and the normalization of a node.
Public Debt as a Punching Bag: An Agency Model of the Mix of Public and Private Debt

Firms with publicly-issued debt typically obtain a large fraction of their debt finance from private lenders. We show that public debt can complement private lender monitoring, in effect making private debt contracts more complete. Public debt carries few control rights, leaving bondholders vulnerable to exploitation in renegotiations between the firm and private lenders. The firm is motivated to make more efficient investment choices in order to preserve options to undertake such exploitations. Our model differs from previous literature by assuming there is no private information. Thus, the model is most relevant to the debt structure of large firms, those most likely to have a mix of public and private debt.
Optical transformations in visual navigation

The navigational tasks of computing time-to-impact and controlling movements within a specific range are addressed. By using specially designed lenses various components of these procedures, consisting of mathematical transformations, can be provided at image acquisition time, and therefore speed up execution time. This study discusses the optical implementation of different correlators based on the Fourier transform and Mellin transform. In addition, the fractional versions of these correlators are defined and analyzed. Based on the experimental results it can be concluded that the optical implementation of transformations can indeed play a significant role in speeding up execution time in respect to the above mentioned navigational tasks.
Global aerosol single scattering albedo characteristics

Single Scattering Albedo (SSA) is one of the most important parameters in deciding the type of aerosols present in the atmosphere. This study mainly aims to study the characteristics of SSA at 388nm wavelength (UV region) at global scale using Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) (level-3) data which is on board the NASA Aura. The study is carried out for the period 2014 December to 2015 November. The Global region is divided into six sub-regions i.e., North-West, South-West, North, South, North-East and South-East. The SSA values for these sub-regions are averaged and analyzed on a seasonal basis. Four seasons have been chosen and the mean SSA of the sub-regions is calculated with respect to them. The sub-region seasonal approach gave a better inference on the aerosol SSA values. The decrease in the SSA values has been observed over the regions where biomass burning generally takes place. The Southern region is showing low SSA values in almost all the seasons than other regions because of the dust activities and biomass burning activities in the African sub-continent. The Californian and Indonesian forest fires also constitute high absorbing aerosols causing low SSA values.
The Transparent Dead Leaves Model

In this paper we introduce the transparent dead leaves (TDL) random field, a new germ-grain model in which the grains are combined according to a transparency principle. Informally, this model may be seen as the superposition of infinitely many semitransparent objects. It is therefore of interest in view of the modeling of natural images. Properties of this new model are established and a simulation algorithm is proposed. The main contribution of the paper is to establish a central limit theorem, showing that, when varying the transparency of the grain from opacity to total transparency, the TDL model ranges from the dead leaves model to a Gaussian random field.
'Barriers' to participation in Higher Education? Depends who you ask and how

In this article, we draw on evidence from a large-scale research project to explore the metaphorical concept of "barriers" to participation in higher education (HE) and to show how our data challenge the idea that non-participation by under-represented groups can be attributed to individuals experiencing a range of readily identifiable barriers. First, we briefly outline the perspectives of policy and practice stakeholders in widening participation (WP) in HE which suggest that the discourse of barriers is central to their understanding of "non-participation" and how to reduce it. Second, we introduce findings from two case studies. Each case study consists of interviews with an individual aged over 21 who has the qualifications (level 3) to enter HE but who has not (yet) done so, as well as members of his or her self-nominated "networks of intimacy" (Heath and Cleaver, 2003) consisting of friends and family. These interviewees do not tend to talk in terms of barriers in their accounts of their educational, employment and personal histories and the influences on their participation decisions. This evidence suggests that patterns of participation and non-participation in HE are strongly embedded in and explained by people's interwoven social, historical and biographical circumstances and experience. This article contributes to the debate about the utility of the barriers metaphor and challenges the policy assumption that individual non-participation can be "solved" solely by the removal of predefined obstacles. We conclude by arguing that the opportunity to collect multiple accounts with members of social networks indicates the value of looking at participation in and decision-making about education across the life course and as a socially embedded practice.
Camera calibration for uneven terrains by observing pedestrians

A calibrated camera is essential for computer vision systems. The prime reason being that such a camera acts as an angle measuring device. Once the camera is calibrated, applications like 3D reconstruction or metrology or other applications requiring real world information from the video sequences can be envisioned. Motivated by this, we address the problem of calibrating multiple cameras, with an overlapping field of view (FoV), observing pedestrians in a scene walking on an uneven terrain. This problem of calibration from an uneven terrain has so far not been addressed in the vision community. We automatically estimated the infinite homography between the cameras by using the special geometric information obtained from observing pedestrians. This homography provides constraints on the intrinsic (or interior) camera parameters while also enabling us to estimate the extrinsic (or exterior) camera parameters. We test the proposed method on real as well as synthetic data; encouraging results demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method.
Mechanisms Involving Ang II and MAPK/ERK1/2 Signaling Pathways Underlie Cardiac and Renal Alterations during Chronic Undernutrition

Background Several studies have correlated protein restriction associated with other nutritional deficiencies with the development of cardiovascular and renal diseases. The driving hypothesis for this study was that Ang II signaling pathways in the heart and kidney are affected by chronic protein, mineral and vitamin restriction. Methodology/Principal Findings Wistar rats aged 90 days were fed from weaning with either a control or a deficient diet that mimics those used in impoverished regions worldwide. Such restriction simultaneously increased ouabain-insensitive Na+-ATPase and decreased (Na++K+)ATPase activity in the same proportion in cardiomyocytes and proximal tubule cells. Type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT1R) was downregulated by that restriction in both organs, whereas AT2R decreased only in the kidney. The PKC/PKA ratio increased in both tissues and returned to normal values in rats receiving Losartan daily from weaning. Inhibition of the MAPK pathway restored Na+-ATPase activity in both organs. The undernourished rats presented expanded plasma volume, increased heart rate, cardiac hypertrophy, and elevated systolic pressure, which also returned to control levels with Losartan. Such restriction led to electrical cardiac remodeling represented by prolonged ventricular repolarization parameters, induced triggered activity, early after-depolarization and delayed after-depolarization, which were also prevented by Losartan. Conclusion/Significance The mechanisms responsible for these alterations are underpinned by an imbalance in the PKC- and PKA-mediated pathways, with participation of angiotensin receptors and by activation of the MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway. These cellular and molecular alterations culminate in cardiac electric remodeling and in the onset of hypertension in adulthood.
Politisk kultur och samhällsengagemang. En etnologisk studie av den parlamentariska vardagen i Helsingborg

Political Culture and Social Engagement. An ethnological study of everyday parliamentary life in Helsingborg. The goal of my thesis is to, by examining foundational features which support political culture, make visible prerequisites for political engagement. Using diverse everyday situations, the thesis describes how one “does” politics. I follow two committee chairpersons in the municipality of Helsingborg (Helsingborgs kommun) in their everyday political work, focusing attention on various specific situations and illustrating in concrete terms what it means to “do” politics. This presentation then forms the basis for a discussion of both political culture and the abilities and competences needed for success in municipal politics in leading a process of negotiation where one must simultaneously balance various individual interests and still retain a view of each issue as a whole. A significant component of political culture is the manner in which people identify themselves with politics. Using the narratives of the politicians themselves, concerning their own experiences of political activities, I present a discussion of political identity, examining how political engagement affects one as a person. In the same manner that one can speak of a political identity, it is also possible to speak of a feeling of belonging among those who are actively involved in parliamentary politics – a politician’s identity – which separates politicians from those citizens who have chosen to remain outside of politics. A politician’s identity is also created in meetings with the mass media. At the same time that the public discourse surrounding politics describes the activities of politicians, this discourse also contains instructions and norms concerning how they are excepted to act. Political work is also about capturing trust. In this struggle it is important to have the right background and competence. The demands made in this context also say something about political culture. A further important goal of the dissertation has been to illuminate the successive changes which political culture and political identity have undergone in recent years, and in the final chapter I discuss the prerequisites for political work in our late modern society.
Focusing on people, communities and commerce: interdisciplinary research as a multiple lens

Universities, as knowledge intensive communities, seek to encourage multi-disciplinary research. Using a social capital framework, this paper explores the experiences of researchers from different disciplines within the Business and Law Schools at an Australian regional University. Social capital views organisations as a social community (community of practice) deriving distinctive advantage through speed and efficiency in creating, accessing, and transferring knowledge. Members of a multi-disciplinary research group combined complimentary viewpoints on the concept of 'value' to write a journal article on tension between different sections of society on an agreed topic. Undertaking a process of discussion, negotiation and debate to produce the article led to interesting ideas and viewpoints, new avenues of thought and "Eureka" moments, from which surfaced new ways of thinking about the problem. Using the reflections of the different team members, this paper shows how the information transfer across discipline boundaries and between quantitative and qualitative researchers can lead to a greater understanding of the complex web of societal life. This information transfer informs and enriches understandings of complex situations and assists the researchers to redefine problems outside of the normal boundaries of research.
Hybrid Decode-Amplify-Forward Cooperative Communications with Multiple Relays

In this paper, we investigate the performance gain of hybrid decode-amplify-forward (HDAF) relay protocol over the two conventional ones: the adaptive decode-forward (ADF) and amplify-forward (AF) in dual-hop multiple-relay networks. We analyze the performance gain in terms of the symbol error probability (SEP) in the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime. Similarly as in the single relay case [1], under a specific modulation scheme, these gains only depend on the ratio of channel mean power between the first-hop and second-hop transmission. In particular, we show that the HDAF protocol obtains a large gain, medium gain, and small gain over ADF, AF as the relays are placed close to the destination, half-way between the source and destination (symmetric case), and nearby the source, respectively. In contrast to the single-relay case in which the HDAF scheme has no benefit compared to ADF and AF as the relay is located close to the source [1], HDAF still achieves a small gain with multiple relays. Interestingly, we further show that for all cases the performance gains are saturated as the number of relays is large.
A Gentzen system for the description logic

The Gentzen systems for a sequent Γ⇒Δ have been proposed in the propositional logic, the predicate calculus and other logics. In this paper, based on the Gentzen system for the predicate calculus, we propose the Gentzen system for a sequent Γ⇒Δ in the description logic, where Γ and Δ are two sets of assertions in ALC: Assertions with universal qualification and inclusion assertions are decomposed as those of universal quantification formulas in the Gentzen system for the predicate calculus. It is proved that the Gentzen system for description logic is sound and complete; but it is not decidable.
Preliminary Study of Prospective ECG-Gated 320-Detector CT Coronary Angiography in Patients with Ventricular Premature Beats

Background To study the applicability of prospective ECG-gated 320-detector CT coronary angiography (CTCA) in patients with ventricular premature beats(VPB), and determine the scanning mode that best maximizes image quality and reduces radiation dose. Methods: 110 patients were divided into a VPB group (60 cases) and a control group (50 cases) using CTCA.All the patients then underwent coronary angiography (CAG) within one month. CAG served as a reference standard through which the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of CTCA in diagnosing significant coronary artery stenosis (luminal stenosis ≥50%) could be analyzed. The two radiologists with more than 3 years’ experience in cardiac CT each finished the image analysis after consultation. A personalized scanning mode was adopted to compare image quality and radiation dose between the two groups. Methodology/Principal Findings At the coronary artery segment level, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV in the premature beat group were 92.55%, 98.21%, 88.51%, and 98.72% respectively. In the control group these values were found to be 95.79%, 98.42%, 90.11%, and 99.28% respectively. Between the two groups, specificity, sensitivity PPV, NPV was no significant difference. The two groups had no significant difference in image quality score (P>0.05). Heart rate (77.20±12.07 bpm) and radiation dose (14.62±1.37 mSv) in the premature beat group were higher than heart rate (58.72±4.73 bpm) and radiation dose (3.08±2.35 mSv) in the control group. In theVPB group, the radiation dose (34.55±7.12 mSv) for S-field scanning was significantly higher than the radiation dose (15.10±1.12 mSv) for M-field scanning. Conclusions/Significance With prospective ECG-gated scanning for VPB, the diagnostic accuracy of coronary artery stenosis is very high. Scanning field adjustment can reduce radiation dose while maintaining good image quality. For patients with slow heart rates and good rhythm, there was no statistically significant difference in image quality.
Sports Injuries in Wheelchair Rugby – A Pilot Study

Abstract The aim of the study was to analyze etiology and the incidence of sports injuries among wheelchair rugby players. Moreover, we verified if the levels of aggressiveness and anger presented by the athletes and their roles in the team influenced the incidence and severity of the injuries. The study involved 14 male players, members of the Polish National Wheelchair Rugby Team. During a 9-month period, the athletes participated in up to 9 training camps and 4 Wheelchair Rugby tournaments. The study was based on the Competitive Aggressiveness and Anger Scale, registry of sports injuries consulted and non-consulted with a physician and a demographic questionnaire. The following observations were made during the 9-month period corresponding to a mean of 25 training and tournament days: 1) wheelchair rugby players experienced primarily minor injuries (n=102) that did not require a medical intervention, 2) only four injuries needed to be consulted by a physician, 3) sports injuries occurred more frequently among offensive players than in defensive players, 4) offensive players showed a tendency to higher levels of anger and aggressiveness than defensive players. It can be concluded that wheelchair rugby is a discipline associated with a high incidence of minor injuries that do not require a medical intervention. The incidence rate of injuries during the analyzed period was 0.3 per athlete per training day.
The ‘Specifier’ in an HPSG grammar implementation of Norwegian

We present a principled background for the adoption of a category ‘Specifier’ in the analysis of noun phrases, and show how, under certain constraining assumptions, it can be successfully employed in the implementation of an HPSG grammar of noun phrases for Norwegian. How widely the assumptions can be applied on empirical grounds cross-linguistically, is still a matter for further investigation.
Java Memory Model Examples: Good, Bad and Ugly

We review a number of illustrative example programs for the Java Memory Model (JMM) [6, 3], relating them to the original design goals and giving intuitive explanations (which can be made precise). We consider good, bad and ugly examples. The good examples are allowed behaviours in the JMM, showing possibilities for non sequentially consistent executions and reordering optimisations. The bad examples are prohibited behaviours, which are clearly ruled out by the JMM. The ugly examples are most interesting: these are tricky cases which illustrate some problem areas for the current formulation of the memory model, where the anticipated design goals are not met. For some of these we mention possible ﬁxes, drawing on knowledge we gained while formalising the memory model in the theorem prover Isabelle [1]
Design optimization of loop antenna using Competitive Learning ANN

Out of several antenna design techniques the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based method is suitable for prediction of characteristic parameters of loop antenna by considering transmit — receive conditions of practical communication set-ups. The predicted set of parameters can be used to fix dimensions of a loop antenna which involves theoretical calculations. This work proposes an approach to determine the best suitable combination of conductor thickness and loop radius using Competitive Learning ANN from predicted values of antenna parameters. The proposed method uses the ANN predicted parameters to find the optimized set of conductor thickness and loop radius using Self Organizing Map (SOM) to fix the layout of a loop antenna for applications with electrically driven finite element grids.