Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Itʼs Not Just Whether You Win or Lose: Thoughts on Gamification and Culture

As it is popularly understood, gamification risks becoming synonymous with achievement. Yet achievement is only one potential aspect of games that gamification could focus on, and one that is not necessarily well suited as a motivation for many cultures around the world. In this paper, we argue for a need to draw on cultural motivations in the design of gamification systems and examine some of the issues involved in adopting such an approach.
Nutraceutical Potential and Sensory Acceptability of Unripe Plantain-Millet Composite Flour Blends

There is an increasing need globally to eat foods that contain arrays of health promoting phytochemicals as alternatives to synthetic drugs. Therefore, the present study sought to assess the nutritional and antioxidant potentials of unripe plantain (UP) and millet (M) composite blends (UP: M); 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80 and 0:100. Some of the evaluated proximate indices (fat, protein, and fiber) gave high values as the composition of millet increases in the blends. On the contrary, the result showed an increasing value in the level of some minerals (sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium) as the inclusion of unripe plantain increases in the blend, with the exception of phosphorous. Physico-chemical properties of the blends did not show any particular trend with the proportion of either plantain or millet in the blend. The result of the sensory properties of the porridge prepared from the blend showed a varied rating, with better overall acceptability for two blends (40UP:60M, 20UP:80M). HPLC/DAD analyses of millet and unripe plantain revealed the presence of some flavonoids and phenolic acids. Antioxidant indices were also high as the percentage inclusion of millet increases in the blend. Results from this investigation revealed that millet contributes higher antioxidant potential and is a better source of protein and fat, while unripe plantain have higher amount of minerals. This by implication is that the combination of these plant food most especially two of the blends (40UP:60M and 20UP:80M) would serve well as a functional food which could be harnessed as in the management of free radical mediated diseases. Keywords: Antioxidant potential; Nutritional value; Phenolic composition; Sensory properties; Millet; Musa paradisiacae
The model of UAV formation based on the uniform allocation of points on the sphere

We consider an approach to constructing the desired virtual structure, which should be formed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The proposed model is based on the principle of quasi-uniform allocation of points, previously used by the author in clustering problems. The mathematical apparatus for solving the problem of forming the desired structure is given: necessary theorems are proved; the hypothesis on the uniform distribution of points on the boundary of the circle and the sphere is put forward and partially proved. The method for optimal assignment of UAVs to goal positions in the desired formation is considered.
Human Side: Team Work

The creation of products requires many different people to cooperate. The work is often organized in teams. The team members have complimentary skills and knowledge. In many management courses the need to design teams is emphasized. Unfortunately, often these recommendations are ignored. We re-iterate in this paper the rationale for teams and the recommendations for designing the team itself. Distribution This article or presentation is written as part of the Gaudi project. The Gaudi project philosophy is to improve by obtaining frequent feedback. Frequent feedback is pursued by an open creation process. This document is published as intermediate or nearly mature version to get feedback. Further distribution is allowed as long as the document remains complete and unchanged. All Gaudi documents are available at: http://www.gaudisite. nl/ version: 0.2 status: draft March 6, 2013 1 Why Work in Teams? Today’s product creation projects involve so many fields of expertise that we need many different specialists. Teams are a way to organize the project. From management perspective manageability is one of the main reasons to use teams. deaf cannot hear blind cannot see mute cannot speak but in the team two can hear, two can see, and two can speak Figure 1: Teams consist of peoples with complementary skills and knowledge Teams can also be an effective way to benefit more from the strengths of individuals within in a group. A well designed team is more than the constituting members. Figure 1 shows a schematic version of the figure of the three apes, where one ape cannot see, one ape cannot hear, and one ape cannot talk. If all three teamup, then we have a team where two apes can see, two can hear, and two can talk. The team members are complementary and jointly they can do much more than every individual alone. 2 Team size Teams can vary from very small (two people) to very large (thousands of people). However, large teams are often further divided in smaller teams, since human interaction gets more difficult with more team members. For example, an entire project is decomposed in subsystems and further decomposed in components, where the team organization follows the same decomposition. In practice only small team, e.g. between 3 and 8 people, show intense interaction. When teams are bigger, the team de facto divides itself further to “human” scale teams. Figure 2 shows that large organizations are broken down in smaller units. It also shows that the size impacts the housing and location of teams. The operation of a team depends strongly on its size. Very small teams of two or three people will interact more intense and informal than larger teams. Larger teams will need more time to communicate, lowering their efficiency. In fact every increase of the organization size with circa 50% triggers changes in the mode of operation. Gerrit Muller Human Side: Team Work March 6, 2013 version: 0.2 Buskerud University College page: 1
Legumes and Well-Being in the Elderly: A Preliminary Study

There has been considerable recent interest in associations between diet and subjective reports of wellbeing (stress, mental health, cognitive and physical functioning). Such effects have been considered across the lifespan and benefits often observed in all age groups. Effects of diet are often easier to detect in the elderly, either because of the longer period of consumption or the decline in functioning associated with aging. The present paper reports results from surveys examining associations between frequency of consumption of peas and beans and wellbeing. No significant associations were observed in younger samples but in the elderly more frequent consumption of peas and beans was associated with reduced stress, emotional distress, anxiety, depression and somatic symptoms. Further research is now required to examine underlying mechanisms and assess the practical implications of these findings.
Thickening the Altiplano crust by gravity‐driven crustal channel flow

In the Central Andes, crustal thickness is not well correlated to upper crustal shortening. Only little shortening is documented in the upper crust of the 60–65 km‐thick Altiplano plateau, whose thickening and uplift were delayed with respect to earlier and greater thickening in the adjacent Western and Eastern Cordilleras. Because crustal thickness variations induce horizontal stress gradients and cause crustal flow, a thickness‐dependent channel flow is modeled here and applied to the Central Andes. In situ thickening is assumed for both cordilleras, while the Altiplano crustal thickening is generated by lateral flow from these overthickened adjacent domains. A ∼8.1018 Pa s viscosity channel is predicted for crustal thicknesses exceeding 45–50 km to match the estimated topographic evolution of the Central Andes. Thickening in the cordilleras was sufficient to generate a flow of 6.109 m3 per unit length toward the initially ∼30–35 km‐thick Altiplano.
IMPROVING KNOWLEDGE DISCOVERY FROM SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR IMAGES USING THE LINKED OPEN DATA CLOUD AND SEXTANT

In the last few years, thanks to projects like TELEIOS, the linked open data cloud has been rapidly populated with geospatial data some of it describing Earth Observation products (e.g., CORINE Land Cover, Urban Atlas). The abundance of this data can prove very useful to the new missions (e.g., Sentinels) as a means to increase the usability of the millions of images and EO products that are expected to be produced by these missions. In this paper, we explain the relevant opportunities by demonstrating how the process of knowledge discovery from TerraSAR-X images can be improved using linked open data and Sextant, a tool for browsing and exploration of linked geospatial data, as well as the creation of thematic maps.
On a Hopping-Points SVD and Hough Transform-Based Line Detection Algorithm for Robot Localization and Mapping

Line detection is an important problem in computer vision, graphics and autonomous robot navigation. Lines detected using a laser range sensor (LRS) mounted on a robot can be used as features to build a map of the environment, and later to localize the robot in the map, in a process known as Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). We propose an efficient algorithm for line detection from LRS data using a novel hopping-points Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and Hough transform-based algorithm, in which SVD is applied to intermittent LRS points to accelerate the algorithm. A reverse-hop mechanism ensures that the end points of the line segments are accurately extracted. Line segments extracted from the proposed algorithm are used to form a map and, subsequently, LRS data points are matched with the line segments to localize the robot. The proposed algorithm eliminates the drawbacks of point-based matching algorithms like the Iterative Closest Points (ICP) algorithm, the performance of which degrades with an increasing number of points. We tested the proposed algorithm for mapping and localization in both simulated and real environments, and found it to detect lines accurately and build maps with good self-localization.
Investigation of the Presence of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus RNA in Tears of Eleven Infected Patients

Purpose: To investigate the presence of viral RNA in tears of patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) disease. Methods: This study was conducted on eleven patients with CCHF cases. The diagnosis of CCHF was based on clinical and epidemiological findings and the detection of CCHF virus (CCHFV)-specific IgM and of CCHFV RNA in the serum samples of the patients by ELISA and a real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. CCHFV RNA positive patients tear samples were then subjected for investigation of viral RNA. Blood and tears of patients were collected at the same time within 24 hours of hospitalization of patients. A TaqMan-based onestep real time RT-PCR was applied to detect CCHFV RNA in sera and tears of patients. Results: Eight patients were male and three patients were female. One of 11 patients had only CCHF virus-specific IgM antibodies and four of 11 patients' blood sera had only positive for viral RNA. Both viral RNA and virus specific IgM were detected in six out of eleven patients' sera. Although the presence of CCHFV RNA was confirmed in 10 (90.9%) patients' sera, none of the patients' tear had viral RNA. Conclusions: The preliminary results obtained in the present study showed that the presence of CCHFV RNA was not detected in tear fluids in patients having CCHF disease. This suggested that tears of CCHF patients may not have a potential for CCHFV virus transmission.
Sales and Monetary Policy

A striking fact about prices is the prevalence of "sales": large temporary price cuts followed by prices returning exactly to their former levels. This paper builds a macroeconomic model with a rationale for sales based on firms facing consumers with different price sensitivities. Even if firms can adjust sales without cost, monetary policy has large real effects owing to sales being strategic substitutes: a firm's incentive to have a sale is decreasing in the number of other firms having sales. Thus the flexibility seen in individual prices due to sales does not translate into flexibility of the aggregate price level.
Profile decompositions and applications to Navier-Stokes

In this expository note, we collect some recent results concerning the applications of methods from dispersive and hyperbolic equations to the study of regularity criteria for the Navier-Stokes equations. In particular, these methods have recently been used to give an alternative approach to the L3,∞ NavierStokes regularity criterion of Escauriaza, Seregin and Šverák. The key tools are profile decompositions for bounded sequences of functions in critical spaces.
Pre‐European Fire Regimes in Australian Ecosystems

We use multiple lines of evidence, including palaeo-environmental, ecological, historical, anthropological and archaeological, to investigate pre-European fire regimes in Australia, with particular focus on the extent to which the use of fire by Aboriginal peoples since their colonisation of the continent at least 45,000 years ago has impacted on the Australian biota. The relative roles of people and climate (including past climate change) as agents driving fire regime are assessed for the major climate–vegetation regions of the continent. Both historical accounts and evidence from current land-use practices in some areas support the argument that Aboriginal peoples used fire as a land management tool. Evidence for pre-European fire regimes suggests that while large areas of savanna woodlands in northern Australia, and dry forests and woodlands in temperate southern Australia, were subjected to increased fire under Aboriginal land management; others were not. Areas where fire regime was controlled primarily by ‘natural’ climate-fuel relationships probably included those that were difficult to burn because they were too wet (e.g. rainforests), fuel levels were usually too low (e.g. desert and semi-arid rangelands), or resource availability was low and did not support other than transient human occupation (e.g. some shrublands). Scientific studies suggest that many fire-sensitive woody species would decline under more frequent burning, so that the use of a small patch size, frequent fire regime – such as may have existed over large parts of Australia in the pre-European (Aboriginal occupation) period – may have harmful biodiversity conservation outcomes if instituted without careful consideration of individual ecosystem and species requirements.
Effects of different atomistic water models on the velocity profile and density number of Poiseuille flow in a nano-channel: Molecular Dynamic Simulation

In the current study, five different atomistic water models (AWMs) are implemented, In order to investigate the impact of AWMs treatment on the water velocity profile and density number. For this purpose, Molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) of Poiseuille flow in a nano-channel is conducted. Considered AWMs are SPC/E, TIP3P, TIP4P, TIP4PFQ and TIP5P. To assessment of the ability of each model in prediction of velocity profile, it is compared with analytic velocity profile. Furthermore, MDS results of density number are evaluated by real non-dimensional value for density number of water (Rho*). Based on computational results,predicted velocity profile from MDS is in appropriate accordance to analytic solution based on the Navier–Stokes equations. In addition, SPC/E and TIP4P models prepare the best prediction of the velocity profile, and are recommended where the averaged magnitude of velocity across the nano-channel is essential. Furthermore, a jump in velocity of TIP5P and TIP4P models is revealed in the vicinity of the nano-channel walls. However, approximately similar quantity is detected in the flow velocity of all different AWMs near the nano-channel walls. Finally, numerical results related to density number show, the TIP5P water model has higher compliance with the intended Rho*, and thus this model is suggested, where density number plays an important role in our MDS.
Biological invasions—How are they affecting us, and what can we do about them?

—Nonindigenous species affect native ecosystems, communities, and populations in myriad ways, from plants (and a few animals) that overgrow entire communities, to plants and animals that hybridize individual native species to a sort of genetic extinction. Further, nonindigenous species sometimes interact to worsen each other’s impact. These impacts are commonly seen in national parks throughout the United States. The key policy change required to alleviate this threat is a shift from blacklists of prohibited species and a presumption of harmlessness to combinations of white and blacklists and a presumption that any species may be damaging. This new guiding philosophy must be inculcated at international and national levels, which will not be easy during a period when free trade is seen as an unmitigated blessing. Within the United States, enhanced cooperation and coordination will be required among all parties (i.e., federal, state, and local agencies as well as private entities) charged with managing invasions. Internationally, the key forum is the World Trade Organization. Various management tools available to combat nonindigenous species have produced some striking successes, but new research could improve their effectiveness and reliability. There is a particular need for research on ecosystem management to control introduced species. In the face of the increasingly publicized onslaught of invaders, there is a widespread tendency to view increased biotic homogenization as inevitable. However, advances in both policy and technology could greatly slow this process and perhaps (in concert with restoration measures) even reverse it. The necessary pressure and resources to effect these changes must come from an increasingly alarmed
Insecticide Treated bed Nets (ITNs) utilization and associated factors among pregnant mothers in Damot Pulasa district, Southern Ethiopia

Background: Pregnant mothers and under- five children are at considerable risk of malarial infection in Ethiopia. The distribution and proper utilization of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) is one of the effective interventions for preventing the death of pregnant mothers. In Ethiopia, despite the increasing availability of ITNs at household level, its utilization among pregnant mothers was unsatisfactory and the factors for this are not well understood. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Damot Pulasa district, Southern Ethiopia, in January 2016. Pregnant mothers (n ꞊ 630) were the study population. A multistage sampling technique was used. Villages were randomly selected and a systematic random sampling method was used to select study participants. Data was entered into EPI Info version 3.5. 3 and exported into SPSS version 16.0 for analysis. Binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with the outcome variable, and finally multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors of the outcome, with statistical significance set at p<0.050 (95% confidence interval (CI)). Results: 72.5% (445) at 95% CI (72.1% - 73.6%) pregnant mothers slept under ITN the previous night before data collection. Maternal Education (AOR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.2 - 0.5), maternal knowledge on malaria (AOR=6.9; 95% CI= 3.8 - 12.8) and ITN condition (AOR=9.3; 95% CI= 5.2 - 16.2) were independent predicators of ITNs utilization by pregnant women. Conclusion: utilization of ITN by pregnant mothers is lower in the study area. A higher emphasis should be given by policy makers and program planners to reduce maternal death by education and follow of the proper and safe utilization of insecticide treated bed nets by pregnant mothers. Educating mothers and enhancing their decision-making power has a significant impact on improving ITN utilization and preventing malarial infection during pregnancy. Key Words: Pregnant mothers, Malaria, Insecticide Treated Bed Nets, Ethiopia
The synthesis of highly aligned cupric oxide nanowires by heating copper foil

We have investigated the effects of grain size and orientation of copper substrates for the growth of cupric oxide nanowires by thermal oxidation method. Long, less-roughness, high-density, and aligned cupric oxide nanowires have been synthesized by heating (200) oriented copper foils with small grain size in air gas. Long and aligned nanowires of diameter around 80nm can only be formed within a short temperature range from 400 to 700°C. On the other hand, uniform, smooth-surface, and aligned nanowires were not formed in the case of larger crystallite size of copper foils with (111) and (200) orientation. Smaller grain size of copper foil with (200) orientation is favorable for the growth of highly aligned, smooth surface, and larger-diameter nanowires by thermal oxidation method.
Exploring Future Cardiovascular Medicine: Heart Precursors Directed From Human Embryonic Stem Cells For Myocardium Regeneration

Copyright: © 2013 Parsons XH. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Given the limited capacity of the heart muscle for self-repair after birth, transplantation of cardiomyocyte stem/precursor/progenitor cells holds enormous potential in cell replacement therapy for cardiac repair. However, the lack of a clinically-suitable human cardiomyocyte stem/precursor/progenitor cell source with adequate myocardium regenerative potential has been the major setback in regenerating the damaged human heart, either by endogenous cells or by cell-based transplantation or cardiac tissue engineering [1,2]. Pluripotent human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the unconstrained capacity for long-term stable undifferentiated growth in culture and the intrinsic potential for differentiation into all somatic cell types in the human body, holding tremendous potential for restoring tissue and organ function [1]. Due to the prevalence of heart disease worldwide and acute shortage of donor organs or adequate human myocardial grafts, there is intense interest in developing hESC-based therapy for heart disease and failure [1,2].
Flights-to-Quality: The Effects of Market Volatility on Short Term U.S. Treasury Yields

Flights-to-quality are the sudden, and sometimes irrational, rebalancing of investment portfolios to include more liquid and safer investments during times of uncertainty, high market volatility, or other unusual stock market environments. While previous research has explained flights-to-quality in terms of liquidity needs and credit risk premiums, this paper examines the significant statistical relationship between the VIX Index of implied market volatility and yields on U.S. Treasury bills. I found that the VIX Index explains a significant portion of U.S. Treasury yield variability and that the models become more significant and accurate as the maturity of the Treasuries increases. In terms ofmispricing, the one month U.S. Treasury exhibited the largest deviation from the theoretical yield-more than 50%. Also, as the Treasuries' maturities increased, the degree ofmispricing decreased; this parallels the tendency to see a steepening yield cun•e during times of higher implied volatility.