Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A logistic regression model for Ghana National Health Insurance claims

In August 2003, the Ghanaian Government made history by implementing the first National Health Insurance System (NHIS) in Sub-Saharan Africa. Within three years, over half of the countryâ€™s population had voluntarily enrolled into the National Health Insurance Scheme. This study had three objectives: 1) To estimate the risk factors that influences the Ghana national health insurance claims. 2) To estimate the magnitude of each of the risk factors in relation to the Ghana national health insurance claims. In this work, data was collected from the policyholders of the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme with the help of the National Health Insurance database and the patientsâ€™ attendance register of the Koforidua Regional Hospital, from 1st January to 31st December 2011. Quantitative analysis was done using the generalized linear regression (GLR) models. The results indicate that risk factors such as sex, age, marital status, distance and length of stay at the hospital were important predictors of health insurance claims. However, it was found that the risk factors; health status, billed charges and income level are not good predictors of national health insurance claim. The outcome of the study shows that sex, age, marital status, distance and length of stay at the hospital are statistically significant in the determination of the Ghana National health insurance premiums since they considerably influence claims. We recommended, among other things that, the National Health Insurance Authority should facilitate the institutionalization of the collection of appropriate data on a continuous basis to help in the determination of future premiums.
Study on the Impact of Motivation, Self-Efficacy and Learning Strategies of Faculty of Education Undergraduates Studying ICT Courses

The purpose of the study is mainly to validate the existing instrument using principal component analysis. The predictors are motivation, self-efficacy, prior knowledge and learning strategies. These predictors are the dimensions that influence the undergraduate when using ICT at university level. The study manage to gather 150 sample who are the undergraduate students studying Bachelor in Education under PKPG program in INSTEAD, IIUM. It is actually a pilot test done to validate the dimensionality of the items typically in themes such as motivation, self-efficacy, learning strategies and prior knowledge as they were self-constructed items questionnaires. The data were collected using 4 main themes, where some of the themes have sub-items/themes. All the items were constructed by using 7 Likert Scales which indicates point 1 = Strongly Disagree; 2 = Somewhat Disagree; 3 = Disagree; 4 = Neutral; 5 = Somewhat Agree; 6 = Agree and 7 = Strongly Agree respectively. The method employed by this research is by way of a survey questionnaires of 45 items coupled with some demographic data. Keywords: ICT, self-efficacy, motivation, prior knowledge, learning strategy
Is the Australian subterranean fauna uniquely diverse

Australia was historically considered a poor prospect for subterranean fauna but, in reality, the continent holds a great variety of subterranean habitats, with associated faunas, found both in karst and non-karst environments. This paper critically examines the diversity of subterranean fauna in several key regions for the mostly arid western half of Australia. Weaimed todocumentlevelsofspeciesrichness formajortaxongroupsandexaminethedegreeof uniquenessofthefauna. We also wanted to compare the composition of these ecosystems, and their origins, with other regions of subterranean diversityworld-wide.Usinginformationonthenumberof'described'and'known'invertebratespecies(recognisedbasedon morphologicaland/ormoleculardata),wepredictthatthetotalsubterraneanfaunaforthewesternhalfofthecontinentis4140 species, of which ~10% is described and 9% is 'known' but not yet described. The stygofauna, water beetles, ostracods and copepods have the largest number of described species, while arachnids dominate the described troglofauna. Conversely, copepods, water beetles and isopods are the poorest known groups with less than 20% described species, while hexapods (comprising mostly Collembola, Coleoptera, Blattodea and Hemiptera) are the least known of the troglofauna. Compared withotherregionsoftheworld,weconsidertheAustraliansubterraneanfaunatobeuniqueinitsdiversitycomparedwiththe northernhemisphereforthreekeyreasons:therangeanddiversityofsubterraneanhabitatsisbothextensiveandnovel;direct faunal links to ancient Pangaea and Gondwana are evident, emphasising their early biogeographic history; and Miocene aridification,ratherthanPleistocenepost-iceagedrivendiversificationevents(asispredictedinthenorthernhemisphere),are likely to have dominated Australia's subterranean speciation explosion. Finally, we predict that the geologically younger, althoughmorepoorlystudied,easternhalfoftheAustraliancontinentisunlikelytobeasdiverseasthewesternhalf,exceptfor stygofaunainporousmedia.Furthermore,basedonsimilargeology,palaeogeographyandtectonichistorytothatseeninthe westernpartsofAustralia,southernAfrica,partsofSouthAmericaandIndiamayalsoyieldsimilarsubterraneanbiodiversity to that described here.
The early evolution of spatial behaviour: robot models of trace fossils

The evolutionary history of nervous systems can provide useful insights for biologically-inspired robot design. The study of trace fossils, the fossilised remains of animal behaviour, reveals interesting parallels with recent research in behaviour-based robotics. This paper reports robot simulations of the meandering foraging trails left by early invertebrates which demonstrate that such trails can be generated by mechanisms similar to those used for robot wall-following. We conclude with the tentative suggestion that the capacity for intelligent behaviour shown by current behaviour-based robots is similar to that of animals of the early Cambrian period approximately 530-544 million years ago.
Performance Analysis of Sparks Machine Learning Library

This paper examines the performance of Apache Sparks machine learning library with reference to the optimal required resources such as the number of machines and cores to best perform popular machine learning algorithms. In order to achieve this, we have observed the training time of classification algorithms such as logistic regression, support vector machines, decision trees, random forests, and gradient boosted trees under different configurations on a sample dataset. Our research revealed that having an excessive number of resources does not necessarily decrease the training time of the machine learning algorithms, rather, it may even degrade the training time by up to 30 percent. Furthermore, this study confirms that methodologies such as tree ensembles can increase the training time of machine learning algorithms compared to that of typical decision trees.
The spillover effect of outward foreign direct investment on home countries : Evidence from the United States

Most studies of foreign direct investment (FDI) spillovers focus on externalities of inward FDI to host country firms. However, spillovers may also be generated from outward FDI and flow to home country firms. We test for the presence of spillovers from U.S. multinational corporations to domestic U.S. firms in the same industry, downstream industries and upstream industries using firm level information from Standard and Poor’s Compustat data and industry level data on U.S. outward FDI from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. We find evidence of positive and significant spillovers flowing from multinational customers to their domestic suppliers. This is consistent with most previous studies of spillovers from inward FDI and may suggest a role for domestic policies that subsidize outward FDI. We also find that the presence of beneficial spillovers depends on several firm characteristics including exporting status, size and absorptive capacity.
Une grammaire multilingue partagée pour la traduction automatique de la parole

Aujourd’hui, l’approche la plus courante en traitement de la parole consiste à combiner un reconnaisseur statistique avec un analyseur robuste. Pour beaucoup d’applications cependant, les reconnaisseurs linguistiques basés sur les grammaires offrent de nombreux avantages. Dans cet article, nous présentons une méthodologie et un ensemble de logiciels libres (appelé Regulus) pour dériver rapidement des reconnaisseurs linguistiquement motivés à partir d’une grammaire générale partagée pour le catalan et le français.
Ecotourism Development and the Community Structure At West Lake in Hangzhou November 2008

Tourism is a leading sector that contributes to sustainable growth in all countries and regions. Tourism development should ideally entail an improvement of the welfare of the community and preservation of the environment in the region. ‘Economic growth’, ‘community welfare’ and ‘environment’ are the three factors that make the socio-economic system of regions sustainable. These triple bottom lines of tourism development can lead to ‘ecotourism’. Ecotourism should be targeted by encouraging the community’s cooperative activities for the development of tourism using a community-based approach. This is because all stakeholders in the community can benefit by participating in planning and enforcing tourism development. Effective and fair development can be attained through the cooperative efforts of people in the community and the local government. This study discusses the relationship between ecotourism development and community involvement, focusing on the structure of tourism development in Hangzhou, China, a region where there are abundant tourism resources and where tourism policy can be given the top priority. After surveying some papers to show how important the linkage between community and tourism development is, we shall prove that community-based ecotourism is critical for regional sustainable development. In addition, we shall provide the results of an empirical research conducted at West Lake in Hangzhou to elucidate the community’s stance toward tourism development and the extent of commitment made by the community residents to abide by environmental as well as tourism policies.
Agnathan brain anatomy and craniate phylogeny

Khonsari, R.H. , Li, B. , Vernier, P., Northcutt, R.G. and Janvier, P. 2009. The anatomy of the agnathan brain and craniate phylogeny. — Acta Zoologica (Stockholm), 90 (Suppl. 1): 52‐68 The central nervous system of hagfishes displays unique characteristics that are distinct from any other craniate neuroanatomic features. Whether these hagfish characters are general for all craniates, autapomorphies of hagfishes, or merely a derived state of the general cyclostome condition is still a matter of debate that relates to the question of the monophyly or paraphyly of the cyclostomes. The present cladistic study includes 123 neuroanatomical characters of nine chordate species and supports cyclostome paraphyly, in contrast to most current molecular sequence-based phylogenies, which support cyclostome monophyly. An understanding of the unique neural characters in hagfishes is critical to inspiring further comparative and developmental studies with regards to these two conflicting results and the very deep divergence between craniates and their presumed sister groups. The recent access to hagfish developmental data may provide exciting perspectives in the understanding and characterization of the basalmost craniate node and the interpretation of hagfish brain structure.
Non-LTE modelling of prominence fine structures using hydrogen Lyman-line profiles

Aims. We perform a detailed statistical analysis of the spectral Lyman-line observations of the quiescent prominence observed on May 18, 2005. Methods. We used a profile-to-profile comparison of the synthetic Lyman spectra obtained by 2D single-thread prominence finestructure model as a starting point for a full statistical analysis of the observed Lyman spectra. We employed 2D multi-thread finestructure models with random positions and line-of-sight velocities of each thread to obtain a statistically significant set of synthetic Lyman-line profiles. We used for the first time multi-thread models composed of non-identical threads and viewed at line-of-sight angles different from perpendicular to the magnetic field. Results. We investigated the plasma properties of the prominence observed with the SoHO/SUMER spectrograph on May 18, 2005 by comparing the histograms of three statistical parameters characterizing the properties of the synthetic and observed line profiles. In this way, the integrated intensity, Lyman decrement ratio, and the ratio of intensity at the central reversal to the average intensity of peaks provided insight into the column mass and the central temperature of the prominence fine structures.
Optimisation of a nano-positioning stage for a Transverse Dynamic

This paper describes the optimisation of a nano-positioning stage for a Transverse Dynamic Force Micro- scope (TDFM). The nano-precision stage is required to move a specimen dish within a horizontal region of 1 (cid:2) m × 1 (cid:2) m and with a resolution of 0.3 nm. The design objective was to maximise positional accuracy during high speed actuation. This was achieved by minimising out-of-plane distortions and vibrations during actuation. Optimal performance was achieved through maximising out-of-plane stiffness through shape and material selection as well optimisation of the anchoring system. Several shape parameters were optimised including the shape of ﬂexural beams and the shape of the dish holder. Physical proto- type testing was an essential part of the design process to conﬁrm the accuracy of modelling and also to reveal issues with manufacturing tolerances. An overall resonant frequency of 6 kHz was achieved allow- ing for a closed loop-control frequency of 1.73 kHz for precise horizontal motion control. This resonance represented a 12-fold increase from the original 500 Hz of a commercially available positioning stage. Experimental maximum out-of-plane distortions below the ﬁrst resonance frequency were reduced from 0.3 (cid:2) m for the ﬁrst prototype to less than 0.05 (cid:2) m for the ﬁnal practical prototype.
Mindset of Employees Working in a Matrix Organizational Structure

Organizations wishing to be successful and control their complexity will probably have to develop matrix mindset. The main goal of this research is to reveal the mindset of employees working in a matrix organizational structure. The data were collected through focus groups. A thematic analysis was employed to achieve the goal. The results revealed that employees working in a matrix organizational structure perceive their influence through cooperation, discussion and personal efficiency. Employees not working in a matrix organizational structure emphasize the manager’s influence and formal power instead of their own personal power.
Improving the Services Quality of Educational Staff Based on Satisfaction and Loyalty Analysis of Nursing Students

Introduction: Educational staff services play a role in determining the quality of education. Service quality is able to provide satisfaction for students. Students who were satisfied with the perceived quality will develop student loyalty to the institution. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of educational staff service quality with the satisfaction and loyalty of nursing students so that the educational institutions as service providers are able to provide the best service and survive in the midst of competition. Method: The study was an explanative survey with a cross-sectional design. Data collection was conducted using both quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (Focus Group discussion/FGD) methods. This study used proportional random sampling, with 110 students as samples. The variables in this research were customer expectations, perceived quality, student satisfaction and loyalty. The data was collected by a questionnaire and analyzed by linear regression, while FGD was conducted in two different groups (students and staff’s managers). Result: The result of the study explains the influence of student expectations on the perceived quality of the educational staff with a p-value = 0,002. There was no influence of student expectation on student satisfaction with a p-value = 0,156. The influence of the perceived quality of the educational staff towards student satisfaction had a p-value = 0,000. The influence of student satisfaction on student loyalty had a p-value = 0,000. Conclusion: The fulfilment of student expectations will have a positive impact on perceived quality. Furthermore, the positively perceived quality will create student satisfaction and student loyalty towards the educational institutions. For further research, it is suggested to examine the effect of satisfaction on student complaints.
Elements and Physical Properties of Green Tea Decoction using Hakusan-Meisui Mineral Water

It has been said that when green tea is made using mineral water, the color is thicker than when made with tap water, and the smell and taste are of a higher quality. This study aimed i) to confirm whether there was a difference in the decoction elements by comparing green tea made with Hakusan-Meisui mineral water and purified water, and ii) to examine the preservation of the decoctions in terms of their quality retention effect. The study found that when green tea was made using Hakusan-Meisui, a larger amount of nutritional content and inorganic qualities were extracted from the exudate when compared with pure water. However, the quantity of vitamin C with Hakusan-Meisui was lower than that of purified water. In addition, the amounts of vitamin C in decoc tions using both cold and hot water were also lower. The color and turbidity of green tea exudate made using Hakusan-Meisui by heating were higher than those of pure water, and the color was stronger. Though no changes were seen over time in pH, the number of bacteria or precipitation of either Hakusan-Meisui or pure water, the color, turbidity and oxidation-reduction potential showed an uptrend in the heated green tea decoction. In contrast to pure water, Hakusan-Meisui did not give off any rotten odor or astringency after being preserved for 5 days, and the effect of its quality maintenance was confirmed through a sensory evaluation of the decoction. The results of this study indicated that when green tea is made using Hakusan-Meisui, the color is stronger than when made with pure water, and the smell and taste are of a higher quality, as is generally said to be the case with mineral water.
Turbulence and stress owing to gravity wave and tidal breakdown

It has been suggested (Lindzen, 1967, 1968a, b; Lindzen and Blake, 1971; Hodges, 1969) that turbulence in the upper mesosphere arises from the unstable breakdown of tides and gravity waves. Crudely speaking, it was expected that sufficient turbulence would be generated to prevent the growth of wave amplitude with height (roughly as (basic pressure)−1/2). This work has been extended to allow for the generation of turbulence by smaller amplitude waves, the effects of mean winds on the waves, and the effects of the waves on the mean momentum budget. The effects of mean winds, while of relatively small importance for tides, are crucial for internal gravity waves originating in the troposphere. Winds in the troposphere and stratosphere sharply limit the phase speeds of waves capable of reaching the upper mesosphere. In addition, the existence of critical levels in the mesosphere significantly limits the ability of gravity waves to generate turbulence, while the breakdown of gravity waves contributes to the development of critical levels. The results of the present study suggest that at middle latitudes in winter, eddy coefficients may peak at relatively low altitudes (50 km) and at higher altitudes in summer and during sudden warmings (70–80 km), and decrease with height rather sharply above these levels. Rocket observations are used to estimate momentum deposition by gravity waves. Accelerations of about 100 m/s/day are suggested. Such accelerations are entirely capable of producing the warm winter and cold summer mesopauses.
Determination of New Load and Resistance Factors for Reinforced Concrete Structural Members

In this study, a procedure for the determination of new load and resistance factors for reinforced concrete structural members is proposed in view of the fact that the design practice in Turkey has changed after the occurrence of major earthquakes. The implementation of the procedure is carried out for the shear failure mode of reinforced concrete beams subjected to dead and live load combination. First, the statistical parameters for the quantification of uncertainty involved in the design variables, modeling and loads are assessed based on the available data and knowledge. Then, the level of risk related with the current design practice is quantified in terms of the reliability index, β. Target reliability index βT, is selected in view of the β values computed for the current design practice. By using the resulting target reliability index βT, the load and resistance factors are computed based on the Advanced First Order Second Moment Method.
Learning on zoo field trips: The interaction of the agendas and practices of students, teachers, and zoo educators

This paper reports on the findings of a case study that investigated the interaction of the agendas and practices of students, teachers, and zoo educators during a class field trip to a zoo. The study reports on findings of the analysis of two case classes of students and their perceptions of their learning experiences during the field trip. The goals, expectations, and perceived outcomes of the trip for students, their classroom teachers, and the zoo educators were elicited through interviews, surveys, student work, and observations. Both cases demonstrated how students placed high value and importance on social interactions with their peers. In addition, classroom teachers' pedagogical practices and the learning agendas they held for their students had a significant influence on students' subsequent learning and perceptions of the experience. This was in contrast to the zoo educators' practices and agendas that appeared not to be significant influences on student learning and perceptions. Implications for field trip planning and implementation are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed94:122–141, 2010
Clustering Incomplete Spectral Data with Robust Methods

Abstract. Missing value imputation is a common approach for preprocessing incomplete data sets. In case of data clustering, imputation methods may cause unexpected bias because they may change the underlying structure of the data. In order to avoid prior imputation of missing values the computational operations must be projected on the available data values. In this paper, we apply a robust nan-K-spatmed algorithm to the clustering problem on hyperspectral image data. Robust statistics, such as multivariate medians, are more insensitive to outliers than classical statistics relying on the Gaussian assumptions. They are, however, computationally more intractable due to the lack of closed-form solutions. We will compare robust clustering methods on the bands incomplete data cubes to standard K-means with full data cubes.