Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Water Quality Seasonal Variability (2000 to 2015) in Yangtze River Estuary and Its Adjacent Coastal Area

Three separate algorithms: 1) Modified NIR-SWIR atmospheric correction, 2) Suspended sediment concentration (SSC), and 3) Diffuse attenuation coefficient at 490 nm, Kd (490) were developed and used for mapping SSC and Kd (490) for the East China natural waters. A geographic area located between 27-35°N and 119-125°N was selected to analyze wet (flood) and dry seasons from 2000 to 2015. Remote sensing acquisition has been realized using the MODIS/Terra and MODIS/Aqua satellite sensors. Results showed large differences between these seasons in terms of spatial pattern of SSC and Kd (490) levels: SSC and Kd (490) values were higher during the dry season than during the flood season in the most part of area for most of the area. The area with high SSC>80 gm-3 [or, correspondingly, Kd (490)>2.3 m-1] within the Subei Bank of the Yellow Sea and the Zhejiang coastal area was estimated to be almost twice as large during the dry season when compared to the wet season. Results also revealed an impact of the Three Gorges Dam power station on the water quality in the Yangtze River Estuary.
Prediction of moving target behavior optimization based on Dirichlet model

With the rapid development of science and technology, video monitoring has entered in to all walks of life, how to use computer for video image processing, analysis and understanding is an important research field of computer image mining. How to combine the computer technology with video monitoring system is the perfect combination of modern monitoring system development trend, has far-reaching significance. Modeling and weighted optimization Dirichlet Dirichlet Modeling and Optimization. dual-HDP model for discrete data sets (such as document collection) probabilistic modeling growth model is a four-Bayesian model, a brief description of the document, to retain the essence of statistical information to help efficiently handle massive documentation set. Consider k themes document dk in i-th word wi of the probability can be expressed as follows:
An Exploratory Qualitative Study on People’s Attitudes towards Offline and Online Social Networks: A Case Study at a Brazilian University

Social networks have emerged as a new medium for sharing and exchanging information. As such, it brings new possibilities and challenges to people’s interaction. In this work, we have investigated through a qualitative study one of these challenges: how people perceive and deal with privacy in online networks, as opposed to the physical world. Our findings from interviewing Facebook users show that although they perceive the online and offline worlds as connected, there is a significant discrepancy between their attitudes towards privacy in online and offline social networks, as well as strategies developed to deal with some of the experienced issues. Based on these findings, we discuss how design decisions are related to privacy issues identified through the interviews and considerations for the design and evaluation of online social networks.
Direct effects of quality management on competitive advantage

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine direct effects of quality management on competitive advantage within the context of the resource-based view of a firm. Design/methodology/approach Survey data have been obtained from 288 general managers of luxury hotels in Egypt. The authors have used six dimensions and 22 indicators of quality management, two indicators of competitive advantage that manifest the hotel’s above average financial performance relative to competitors within the study sample, and a multi-group analysis in structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings The results indicate that quality management may be a source of competitive advantage. Top management leadership and supplier management differentiate hotels with above average financial performance from its competitors. The role of customer focus and employee management in generating competitive advantage is questionable while process management and quality data and reporting may not contribute to achieving competitive advantage. Research limitations/implications Only direct effects of quality management on competitive advantage are examined within the context of a luxury hotel industry in Egypt. Similar studies within other contexts and models that study indirect effects of quality management on competitive advantage with factors that might moderate these effects are needed. Future studies could compare effects of quality management on competitive advantage with effects of quality management on other business outcomes. Practical implications The results may inform management decision making concerning the development of capabilities that may generate competitive advantage. Social implications The current study contributes in providing further evidence that may contribute to enhancing the understanding and knowledge of the relationship between quality management and competitive advantage. Originality/value This study contributes to the debate on strategic value of quality management and resource-based sources of competitive advantage. Methodologically, this study shows an alternative approach to measuring competitive advantage and indicates that applying a multi-group analysis in SEM may contribute to producing original results.
Effect of Late Gestation and Early Postpartum Concentrate Supplementation on Milk Production, Milk Composition and Reproductive Performances of HF × Boran Dairy Cows

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of late gestation and early postpartum concentrate supplementation on milk yield, milk composition and reproductive performances of HF × Boran crossbred dairy cows in randomized complete block design with three treatments. The treatments were control (hay and concentrate from agro-industrial by-products), T 2 (hay and concentrate from agro-industrial by-products plus ruminant premix) and T 3 (hay and concentrate mixture from agro-industrial by-products plus commercial dairy concentrate plus ruminant premix). As a result of variations in treatment diets, the crude protein contents of treatments during the late gestation and early postpartum periods were 26.5, 14.1, 14.3 and 26.5, 15.4, 15.6% for T 1 , T 2 and T 3 , respectively. The metabolizable energy contents of treatments were 11.1, 10.4, 10.7 and 11.1, 11.5 and 11.8 MJ/kg DM for T 1 , T 2 and T 3 , respectively. During late gestation period cows on the control diet had a higher (P 0.05) among parities. Total daily DM intake during early post-calving period for T 2 (14.5 kg) was significantly (P 0.05) because of diet and parity differences. Body condition score (BCS) at calving and day 60, calving to first heat intervals (CFHI), calving to first service intervals (CFSI), calving to conception intervals (CCI) and calving interval (CI) was statistically different (P<0.05) among treatments and cows in T 2 and T 3 were better than T 1 . Therefore, from the results it can be concluded that formulating ration according to the cow requirement, stage of production improves milk production and reproductive performances. Furthermore, agro-industrial by-products alone are appropriate feed sources in formulating dairy ration. Keywords : agro-industrial by-products, hay, milk, milking cows, reproductive performances , supplementation
Phurcalite from Dartmoor, Southwest England, and its identity with ‘nisaite’ from Portugal

Abstract Yellow blades on joint surfaces in granite from Merrivale quarry, Dartmoor, Devon, are shown to be of a slightly aresenatian variety of phurcalite by X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, electron microprobe and thermal analyses and optical methods. The results from these techniques are tabulated, including assignments for infrared absorption bands. Comparison of X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopic and optical data with those obtained from samples of ‘nisaite’, an incompletely described mineral from Nisa, Portugal, indicates that the latter is also phurcalite.
Mini-CEX: A Method Integrating Direct Observation and Constructive Feedback for Assessing

The mini-CEX (mini clinical evaluation exercise) is a tool for the assessment of professional performance of residents through direct observation of resident-patient encounter, evaluating clinical skills and providing subsequent feedback in the work setting. The exam focuses on the evaluation of resident’s skills during resident-patient encounter. The evaluator must document resident’s performance in six areas of competence. The exam is easy to apply as it fits in real life settings in the different clinical scenarios. The evaluation should not take more than 20 minutes and each resident should have 8 mini-CEX per year of training with different faculties. Faculties should previously define the areas of competence to evaluate and the minimum performance standards residents should reach. All the completed forms should be used to construct a database in order to monitor the evaluation process and make the necessary corrections.
The Economics of Public-Private Partnerships

Governments across Canada and around the world are looking for new ways to deliver public services at lower costs to taxpayers and users. Many have chosen to form public-private partnerships (P3s), involving the private sector to a much greater extent. This choice is often controversial, with the debates routinely driven by ideology more than careful analysis. This paper adds to the limited academic literature on P3s by reviewing the fundamental underlying economics of these relationships to get at their real costs and benefits. The goal is to help us better understand where and how P3s may be an efficient mechanism for the provision of public services.
Laboratory diagnosis of urinary tract infections using diagnostics tests in adult patients

Background: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate laboratory diagnosis of urinary tract infection using diagnostics tests in adult patients. Methods: Among the diagnostic tests, urinalysis is useful mainly for excluding bacteriuria. For isolation of pathogenic bacteria semiquantitative culture techniques was used and biochemical tests were done to differentiate Gram +ve and Gram –ve bacteria. Results: The incidence of pathogenic infection caused by Escherichia coli accounts for 216 cases (60%) followed by Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella. Conclusion: Physicians should distinguish urinary tract infections caused by different organisms for an effective treatment and appropriate clinical information gives clues for better diagnostic evaluation and their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents as well addressing host factors that contribute to the occurrence of infection.
Effect of Hydrothermal Shock Cycles on Shear Strength of Glass Fiber-polyester Composites

Degradation of glass fiber-reinforced polyester composite by hydrothermal shock cycles is studied experimentally. The interface/interphase in glass fiber composites is assumed to be a polymer film, thus, it may be susceptible to perish through environmental shock. Glass fibers of 55, 60, and 65 wt% are used to fabricate polyester matrix polymer composites. The test specimens are first treated in a water bath of 50 C for 30 min and then immediately immersed in another water bath at 100 C for the same time. The treatment is repeated for different cycles. The short beam shear (SBS) test is performed at room temperature on the conditioned samples for two different crosshead speeds (2 and 50 mm/min). The objective of the experiment is to assess the deteriorative effect of hydrothermal shock on the interfacial bonding of varied weight fraction constituents in the composite. The fiber-matrix interfacial damage is reflected in the three-point SBS test. The fall in shear values is observed to be 19-27%, depending on the volume fraction of constituents. The variation in loading speeds is taken into consideration for the assessment of interlaminar shear strength (ILSS).
S-process in extremely metal-poor, low-mass stars

Context. Extremely metal-poor (EMP), low-mass stars experience an ingestion of protons into the helium-rich layer during the core He-flash, resulting in the production of neutrons through the reactions 12 C(p ,γ ) 13 N(β) 13 C(α, n) 16 O. This is a potential site for the production of s-process elements in EMP stars, which does not occur in more metal-rich counterparts. The signatures of s-process elements in the two most iron deficient stars observed to date, HE1327-2326 & HE0107-5240, still await for an explanation. Aims. We investigate the possibility that low-mass EMP stars could be the source of s-process elements observed in extremely iron deficient stars, either as a result of self-enrichment or in a binary scenario as the consequence of a mass transfer episode. � ∗ = �
Gabriel's Gift

In Hanif Kureishi's latest novel, Gabriel - a fifteen-year-old schoolboy - is forced to come to terms with a new life as his equilibrium is shattered by his father's departure from the family home. Trying to fend for himself, as well as emotionally supporting his confused and confusing parents, Gabriel is grow up quickly - with support only from his remembered twin brother, Archie, and his 'gift' - the ability to make sense of his world through painting and drawing. A chance visit to 70s rock star Lester Jones crystallizes the turbulent emotions inside Gabriel and helps him to engage with his gift and to heal the rift with his family. In Gabriel's gift, Hanif Kureishi has written a tender, witty and moving meditation on the power of the imagination to enrich our lives. Praise for Midnight All Day by Hanif Kureishi:
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN CHILDREN

Bronchial Asthma is a chronic respiratory debilitating illness. It has multifactorial causation and effect. Psychological effects of asthma are underdignosed and managed causing an increase in morbidity and at times increased risk of mortality. This article reviewed the psychological aspects of bronchial asthma in children as they are the most vulnerable group. Early diagnosis and effective management can be helpful in reducing the burden due to the illness and improving the quality of life.
Type ‐ “ which ? ” versus type ‐ ” why ? ” questions

It is well known that the principle of maximum entropy (ME), when applied to the probability distribution of a random variable with known mean and variance, results in the normal distribution. If the variable is non‐negative, as happens with hydrological variables such as rainfall and runoff, the same principle results in the truncated normal distribution. Mathematically, this distribution can have a coefficient of variation ranging from zero to unity, with the upper bound corresponding to the exponential distribution. At fine time scales, rainfall and runoff have coefficients of variations higher than one, so the classical entropy approach, constrained by known mean and variance, is not applicable. However, a generalization of entropy (specifically the use of the concept of nonextensive entropy) allows the application of the ME principle even in such cases and results in power‐type distributions, which for low probabilities of exceedence have scaling properties. Thus, the ME principle can be used to infer the type of the distribution of a hydrological variable, i.e. whether it has scaling properties or not, and to quantify the scaling exponent using a simple indicator such as the coefficient of variation. This theoretical framework is validated with several real world examples concerning rainfall, runoff and temperature data at several time scales. Given that entropy is a measure of uncertainty, the applicability of the ME principle to the distribution of hydrological variables emphasizes the dominance of uncertainty in hydrological processes.
Qualitative Evaluation of Tracking Systems: A Model based approach

Object Tracking has been a very active area in the field of C omputer Vision. Over the years, a variety of approaches have been put forth to solve this problem and though many of them have demonstrate considerable success none of them have been completely successful. With more methods being written each day, the evaluation of such systems becomes a very important task. If an evaluation system exists that is able to point out specific flaws in the stage of development, it can lead to a very robust and improved algorithm. This work attempts to create such an evaluation framework. Given an algorithm that detects people and simultaneously tracks them, we evaluate its output by considering the complexity of the input scene. Some videos used for the evaluation are recorded using the Kinect sensor and a benchmark dataset from the PETS workshop is also used. To analyze the performance of the tracking system,the reasons due to which the algorithm might fail are investigated and quantified over the entire video sequence. A set of features called Scene C omplexity Measures are obtained for each input frame. The variability in the algorithm performance is modeled by these complexity measures using various regression models. From the regression statistics, we show that we can compare the performance of two different algorithms and also quantify the relative influence of the scene complexity measures on a given algorithm.
A Controller Design for a Stability Improvement of an On-Board Battery Charger

This paper proposes the controller design for a stability improvement of an on-board battery charger. The system is comprised of a power factor correction (PFC) circuit and phase shift full-bridge DC-DC converter. The PFC circuit performs the control of the DC-link voltage and the input power factor. The DC-DC converter regulates the voltage and the current in the battery using the DC-link voltage. This paper proposes the design method of PI controller for the PFC circuit using a small signal model. The analysis and design of a type-three controller for the DC-DC converter is also presented. A simulation and experiment has been performed on the on-board battery charger and their results are presented to verify the validity of the proposed system.
Gene Mutations: One of the Many Roads to Deafness

Deafness, a pathological condition causing partial or complete loss of hearing, affects nearly 70 million people worldwide. Research has linked nonsyndromic deafness to over 30 genes. In this review, implications of mutations on four of these genes will be discussed to understand how normal function is altered. While various mutations are linked to deafness, little is known about the mechanisms that lead to deafness. MyosinVI mutations hinder the motor protein’s progressive movement, rendering the protein unable to stabilize stereocilia. Point mutations in PMCA2 gene in outer hair cells (OHCs) cause a defect in the calcium pump, leading to a change in calcium concentration in the cell and loss of hearing and imbalance. Mutations on the KCNQ4 gene in the OHCs cause K+ channel malfunction, ceasing the removal of K+ and inhibiting repolarization, thus leading to degeneration of the cell. Connexin 26 mutations lead to destruction and degradation of critical components within the inner ear, as well as problems with gap junction communication. These mutations cause autosomal recessive deafness. Currently, there is no cure for deafness, but development of treatments such as cochlear implants and other electrical systems can improve the quality of hearing. Identification and a deeper understanding of new genetic mutations can enhance treatments.
Real interest rate interdependence among the G7 nations: does real interest parity hold?

We evaluate the extent of real interest rate interdependence among three month treasury bill rates of the G7. Monthly data over the period 1970(1) to 2003(12) is subjected to recursive estimation of a cointegrating equation. The evidence suggests a high degree of interdependence between the G7 interest rates with the degree of integration increasing over the sample period. Tests for parameter constancy highlight the disruptive effects of the first oil price shock although the impacts on financial markets of the September 11 and the attack occurrence of the Asian crisis have limited impacts. The evidence for the presence of a leading nation among the G7 is inconclusive although Germany and the US are the prime leadership contenders. The high degree of interdependence between the G7 financial markets suggests that capital between the G7 is highly mobile.
The Effects of Emotion and Action on Binding in Memory

The ability to successfully bind features and objects at different levels of abstraction is important for everyday functioning of memory. The current study examined how actions and emotional arousal influence item recognition and between-item binding across two experiments. According to the Arousal-Biased Competition Theory (ABC; Mather and Sutherland, 2011), binding can be enhanced by emotional arousal, depending upon what is the focus of attention within a scene. In the current study, participants viewed a series of slides, each of which depicted a person performing an action with an object, as well as an object that is not interacted with. All of the actions performed were emotionally neutral. According to ABC, this difference between attended and non-attended items should be enhanced when in the presence of an emotionally arousing stimulus. In the current experiments, emotional arousal was manipulated using sounds presented before slides depicting a person performing an action using an object. In Experiment 1, actions led to enhanced attention to (and better item memory for) manipulated objects relative to objects that were not the focus of attention. Participants also gave higher confidence ratings for recognized interacted objects than recognized non-interacted objects. However, the predicted interaction between emotional arousal and item type was not obtained. The one impact of emotional arousal was that participants responded more conservatively to faces and items associated with a negative sound. In Experiment 2, there was no evidence for enhanced associative memory as a function of either emotion or action, although overall performance was very poor. The implications of these findings for theoretical views of memory are discussed, as well as future directions for research.
Use of neem leaf and ginger extracts for cost effective broiler production

This study was conducted to determine the effects of neem leaf and ginger extracts as a growth promoter of broiler. A total of forty day-old broiler chicks were divided into four groups viz. I0, I1, I2 and I3 which were supplemented with a mixture of extracts from neem leaf and ginger @ 0 ml, 1 ml, 2 ml and 3 ml/liter of drinking water, respectively. Weekly observations were recorded for live body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency and blood parameters of broilers for up to six weeks. The initial mean body weight of group I0, I1, I2 and I3 on first week chicks were 165 ± 5.00, 166 ± 3.00, 163 ± 3.00 and 164 ± 4.00 gm, respectively. At the end of the experiment (42 nd day) final mean body weight were 1550 ±10.00, 1720 ±10.00, 1651 ± 1.00 and 1782 ± 2.00 gm, respectively. The net body weight gains were 1385 ± 5.00, 1554 ± 7.00, 1488 ± 2.00 and 1618 ± 2.00 gm, respectively. Cost benefit analysis revealed that net profit per broiler was 24.04, 51.05, 35.12 and 56.64 taka, respectively. It is, therefore, concluded that the broiler production by using mixture of nee leaf and ginger extracts may be profitable with a safety health issue for human consumption.