Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Predictive GMV State-Dependent Control

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Mechanical Power of Leg Extensor Muscles in Male Boxing Players

The present study was conducted on nineteen male boxing players (age: 16.37±1.34 years) comprising of inmates of Sports Training Centre and Centre of Excellence scheme of Sports Authority of India, training at NS NIS Patiala (India). The aim of the study was to find the status of mechanical power variables of leg extensor muscles in male boxing players and to find the relationship between them. The experimental protocol developed by Bosco et al (1983), Mcguigan et al (2006) were used to measure the mechanical power variables of leg extensor muscles in male boxing players. Karl Pearson‘s coefficient of correlation was calculated with the help of SPSS version 9.0 software. The results of this study indicate that there was a highly significant correlation between the squat jump flight time, squat jump height, countermovement jump height, countermovement flight time, Eccentric Utilization Ratio (EUR), Elasticity Index (EI) and peak power (0-15sec), peak power (45-60sec) and Mean Power (0-60sec).
A Tourism Conditions Index

This paper uses monthly data from April 2005 to August 2013 for Taiwan to propose a novel tourism indicator, namely the Tourism Conditions Index (TCI). TCI accounts for the spillover weights based on the Granger causality test and estimates of the multivariate BEKK model for four TCI indicators to predict specific tourism and economic environmental indicators for Taiwan. The foundation of the TCI is the Financial Conditions Index (FCI), which is derived from the Monetary Conditions Index (MCI). The empirical findings show that TCI weighted by spillovers reveal greater significance in forecasting the Composite Index (CI), an economic environmental indicator, than the Tourism Industry Index (TII), which is an existing indicator for the tourism industry that is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE). Moreover, previous values of the alternative TCI and TII are shown to contain useful information in predicting both tourism and economic environmental factors. Overall, the new Tourism Conditions Index is straightforward to use and also provides useful insights in predicting tourism arrivals and the current economic environment.
Sensitivity of pines in Mexico to temperature varies with age

Mexico has an abundance of Pinus species with P. cooperi as a dominant tree species of great ecological importance. In this study, we compared the climate sensitivity of P. cooperi trees of two age classes growing in the Sierra Madre Occidental: younger (< 80 years) and older (≥ 80 years) trees. A regional curve standardization (RCS) of growth ring width was developed for these two age classes. Our statistical analysis showed that annual tree growth was similar between the two age classes in absolute values of tree-ring widths. However, we found that the effects of rising temperatures during the previous winter are age-dependent; that is, maximum and minimum temperatures have opposite effects on the subsequent tree growth. Warming winter maximum temperatures have negative effects on radial growth, which are stronger in younger trees, whilst minimum winter temperatures enhance the growth. However, no difference in radial growth was observed between the two age classes based on precipitation. In climate change scenarios, an increase in temperature would affect younger trees of P. cooperi more than older trees. These effects of increased temperature may lead to a decrease in the growth and subsequent death of the trees. These results could help land managers to develop criteria related to forest management regarding P. cooperi.
La comarca de Molina de Aragón : estudio geográfico

Este trabajo trata de analizar todos los aspectos que presenta una comarca de dificiles y extremadas condiciones fisicas y donde el fenomeno de la emigracion tal vez el mas importante en la Espana de los anos 60 y 70 ha llevado a la comarca a la ruina casi total de su demografia al abandono de los pueblos y la reduccion del volumen y variedad de las actividades economicas. El caso que estudiamos no es unico aunque presente una serie de singularidades pero lo extremado de sus caracteres puede marcar la situacion tope y casi irreversible a la que estan abocadas otras muchas areas rurales espanolas.
Efficient 2D SLAM for a Mobile Robot with a Downwards Facing Camera

As digital cameras become cheaper and better, computers more powerful, and robots more abundant the merging of these three techniques also becomes more common and capable. The combination of these techniques is often inspired by the human visual system and often strives to give machines the same capabilities that humans already have, such as object identification, navigation, limb coordination, and event detection. One such field that is particularly popular is that of SLAM, or Simultaneous Localization and Mapping, which has high-profile applications in self-driving cars and delivery drones. This thesis proposes and describes an online SLAM algorithm for a specific scenario: that of a robot with a downwards facing camera exploring a flat surface (e.g., a floor). The method is based on building homographies from robot odometry data, which are then used to rectify the images so that the tilt of the camera with regards to the floor is eliminated, thereby moving the problem from 3D to 2D. The 2D pose of the robot in the plane is estimated using registrations of SURF features, and then a bundle adjustment algorithm is used to consolidate the most recent measurements with the older ones in order to optimize the map. The algorithm is implemented and tested with an AR.Drone 2.0 quadcopter. The results are mixed, but hardware seems to be the limiting factor: the algorithm performs well and runs at 5-20 Hz on a i5 desktop computer; but the bad quality, high compression and low resolution of the drone’s bottom camera makes the algorithm unstable and this cannot be overcome, even with several tiers of outlier filtering.
Examining Wari influence in the Las Trancas Valley, Peru using oxygen isotopes from bone carbonate

The Nasca region of the Las Trancas Valley in south coastal Peru is considered to be one of several peripheral regions which were influenced by the highland Wari empire during the Middle Horizon (750-1000 AD). They are thought to have had socioeconomic and political ties with the neighboring empire. The Wari are considered to be one of the first expansive states that developed in the Andean region (Schreiber, 1992; 1999). The extent of Wari control based on archaeological evidence and diet reconstruction, however, remains inconclusive. I tested the hypotheses regarding the nature of Wari influence (i.e. presence of Wari emissaries) in the Las Trancas Valley by analyzing the oxygen isotope of human bone from burials dating prior to and during Wari influence. The oxygen isotope was used to determine whether or not individuals from high-altitude regions were present in low-altitude regions. Burials during Wari influence, distinguished by presence of either local Loro ceramics or imperial Chakipampa style ceramics, showed similar isotope patterning for individuals from higher elevation. The construction of the puqio during the Late Nasca most likely contributed to the differences seen in [delta]¹⁸O of bone carbonate, but continued decrease during Late Nasca and Imperial period further support the idea that foreign born individuals were present
Evidence on Industry Cost of Equity Estimators

Given that prior research into industry cost of equity indicates that CAPM-derived estimates are no worse than estimates from more complex models, we investigate the bias of the standard CAPM approach for each industry separately, and examine the effectiveness of alternative beta estimators. We find that constant betas produce better estimates of cost of equity for particular industries (mostly either â€˜defensiveâ€™ or â€˜highriskâ€™ industries). The paper succeeds in offering a meaningful assessment of the empirical reality of the CAPM, as well as offering guidance concerning the appropriate practical application of the CAPM when estimating industry cost of equity.
Ultra-Thin and Flexible Multi-Band Rejection EMI Shield

This paper presents the design and fabrication of an ultra-thin and flexible electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield that is capable of rejecting multiple unwanted frequencies. The design starts with the equivalent circuit model of periodic concentric rings to determine the initial geometrical dimensions of the rings efficiently. Then it followed by full-wave electromagnetic simulation to fine-tune the final dimensions for the desired frequency response. Impacts of various geometrical designs on the EMI shielding performance of the concentric ring design are analyzed and discussed. With these results, an ultra-thin and flexible EMI shield is fabricated using the screen printing technique. Finally, its multi-band rejection performance is validated experimentally. Good correlation between measurement and simulation is demonstrated in this paper.
RELIGION AND POLITICS IN TURKEY: THE PROMISE OF POLITICAL LIBERALISM *

This paper proposes an alternative way of conceptualizing the relation between religion and politics, a topic of significant debate in Turkey. It puts forward an alternative justification for the requirement to leave religious convictions out of political discussions. In order to do so, it has recourse to the approach recently developed by John Rawls. The merits of this approach as well as the possibility of implementing it in practice are discussed, while also analyzing the question of sincerity in political deliberations.
Husband's Response to Infidelity

OF THESIS HUSBAND’S RESPONSE TO INFIDELITY Infidelity is the most often cited reason for divorce in the United States and much of the world. Providing therapy for a couple trying to recover from infidelity is one of the most difficult and complex presenting problems for therapists. Much of the existing research that predicts responses to infidelity subscribes to an evolutionary psychology perspective, predicting response by gender differently based on motives concerning procreation. Males would find sexual infidelity more threatening because paternity would be uncertain, females would find emotional infidelity more threatening because of the risk of resources and protection being diverted to another female’s offspring. Much of the evolutionary psychology experiments utilize samples of college students responding to hypothetical infidelity scenarios. The current study includes 58 respondents who are currently in marriages where infidelity took place or previously in marriages where infidelity took place. Social construction theory and peripheral relational items (children) were used to analyze respondents’ experiences in marriages where infidelity occurred. Results from the study indicate that not only is a couple’s idealization of their gender roles predictive of whether the couple remains intact in the aftermath of infidelity, but also which spouse had the affair and the existence of children are significant variables.
GC-MS analysis of the antioxidant active fractions of Abrus precatorius

Abrus precatorius L. Fabaceae, is an important medicinal plant used by the traditional healers for treating various illness. The main intention of this current work is find out the phytocompounds available in the petroleum ether fractions of Abrus precatorius leaves extract by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrum analysis. The Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrum of petroleum ether fraction of leaves of Abrus precatorius confirmed the existence of various phytoconstituents includes 2R-actoxymethyl-,3,3-trimethyl-4t-(3-methyl-2-buten-yl)-t-cyclohexanol (10.0%), tetracontane-1,40-diol(22.3%) and hexacosanol acetate (68.7%). The antioxidant activity of the petroleum ether fraction of Abrus precatorius was done by DPPH Scavenging assay. The petroleum ether fraction of Abrus precatorius showed good antioxidant activity which is due to the presence of various pytocompounds present in it and validate the make use of of this medicinal plant to treat various disease by traditional healers.
Flow in Virtual Worlds: The Interplay of Community and Site Features as Predictors of Involvement

Cultivating involvement within virtual worlds, where interactivity and community are salient, represents a key goal for virtual world leaders. This online survey of virtual world visitors conducted in 2013 (N = 244; 37% of whom use Second Life) assessed whether the interplay of community and site features facilitates a form of intense involvement known as flow. Flow is an affect-based response to types of pursuit that involve intense enjoyment and high psychological engagement. Prior research shows that flow often leads to positive outcomes for virtual world visitors, including learning, satisfaction and loyalty. Therefore, it is important to understand more about potential antecedents to the reported flow experience in virtual worlds. The study findings showed that site features such a level of interactivity mediate the relationship between sense of community and reported flow experience among virtual world visitors. This suggests that site designers can intensify involvement by encouraging community spirit via interactivity, feedback, content variety and ease of use.
INTEGRAL MARINE ECOLOGY: COMMUNITY-BASED FISHERY MANAGEMENT IN HAWAI‘I

Abstract Successful fishery management requires that a dynamic balance of disciplines provide a fully integrated approach. I use Integral Ecology to analyze multiple-use conflicts with an ornamental reef-fish fishery in Hawai'i that is community-managed via the implementation of a series of marine protected areas and the creation of an advisory council. This approach illustrates how the joyful experiences of snorkelers resulted in negative interactions with fish collectors and, thereafter, produced social movements, political will, and ecological change. Although conflicts were reduced and sustainability promoted, lack of acknowledgment of differing worldviews, including persistent native Hawaiian cultural beliefs, contributed to continued conflicts.
Pitfalls in Estimating Jump-Diffusion Models

In this paper we show that it is invalid to use standard maximum likelihood procedures in estimating jump-diffusion models. The reason is that in jump-diffusion models the log-return is equivalent to a discrete mixture of N normally distributed variables, where N goes to infinity. Thus, from the mixture-of-distributions literature we know that the likelihood function can be unbounded which causes inconsistency. In the paper we derive a method which provides consistent and asymptotically normally distributed estimator. The method is applied to some of the most actively traded New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) stocks and several stock indices. The implication of the estimated jump-diffusion models for option prices is examined.
Excitation/transfer Separation in Non-stationary Conditions

Abstract This work proposes a novel approach to extend blind identification methods to signals recorded in speed-varying conditions. The excitation/transfer separation is useful for many reasons. First numerical models require knowledge of physical parameters often estimated experimentally. Moreover, for example in the case of gearboxes, the extraction of ”noisy” excitation components (gear whine) enables the access to other interesting excitations. Classical blind identification methods are developed for stationary signals. In our case, the emphasis of the work is on vibration response of a mechanical system in non-stationary conditions, which makes the originality of this paper. Our technique aims to separate the excitation from the transfer in four steps by exploiting both time and angular domains. The interest is on gearbox vibration signals, modelled with a convolution between an impulse response and an excitation composed of a deterministic part depending on instantaneous ”angle” frequency and a broadband random part. In the Campbell diagram in time domain (represented in speed vs. frequency in Hz) order harmonics increase proportionally to speed and structural resonances are located at constant frequencies. After angular resampling, the Campbell diagram is presented in speed vs. ”angle” frequency in events/revolution. Order harmonics are then located at constant ”angle” frequencies and structural resonances appear as hyperbolas. In this method the characteristics of both domains are exploited :
The Impact of Increasing Transparency in Monetary Policy on Inflation and Unemployment

The increasing transparency of central banks’ internal communication and decision-making methods has been a global trend in the past fifteen years. Especially since the financial crisis in 2008, the general public has demanded greater transparency from governments and major market participants. This paper examines how the increase in information about the conduct and expectations of central banks affects unemployment rates and price level changes, especially in the context of a society in which there is a significant union presence. It finds that greater transparency fails to improve welfare when public information is released in such a way that agents place too little weight on their own information and when there is an uncoordinated-wage-decision externality among unions.
A meta-analysis of wage-risk estimates of the value of a statistical life

This paper presents the results of a meta-analysis of estimates of the value of statistical life (VOSL). Data on the sample characteristics, data sources and analytical approach used to derive some 60 separate estimates in 17 published papers are used in the analysis. Tests lead us to reject the hypothesis that this sample shows evidence of publication bias. A meta-regression of these estimates provides evidence that VOSL is increasing in income but is invariant with respect to baseline risk. Controlling for aspects of the sample, data sources and analytical approach allows us to derive a best estimate of the VOSL of around $7 million.
Conceptual Models for Fracture Characterization at Reykjanes Geothermal Field

This paper describes conceptual models for an inverse analysis to investigate fracture topology at Reykjanes geothermal reservoir using electrical resistivity. The resistivity distribution of a field can be estimated by measuring potential differences between various points while injecting an electric current into the ground, and resistivity data can be used to infer fracture properties due to the large contrast in resistivity between water and rock. Furthermore, injecting water into the reservoir with higher resistivity than the conductive brine at Reykjanes would cause a time-dependent change in the resistivity of the fractures as the fluid flows through the fracture network. Thus, modeling the time history of the potential difference between two points (e.g. an injector and a producer) as water is injected into the reservoir and comparing simulated results to actual observation that depend on the fracture network in the field, could help estimate where fractures are located and the characterize their distribution.
Dissolved oxygen dynamics under ice: Three winters of high‐frequency data from Lake Tovel, Italy

Under‐ice dissolved oxygen (DO) metabolism and DO depletion are poorly understood, limiting our ability to predict how changing winter conditions will affect lake ecosystems. We analyzed under‐ice DO dynamics based on high‐frequency (HF) data at two depths (5 and 25 m) for three winters (January–March 2014, 2015, and 2016) in oligotrophic Lake Tovel (1178 m above sea level; maximum depth 39 m). Specifically, we assessed diel metabolic rates based on HF data of DO, temperature, and light for winter 2016 and seasonal DO depletion rates based on HF data of DO for all three winters. For 2016, calculations of metabolic rates were possible only for 34% and 3% of days at 5 and 25 m, respectively; these metabolic rates generally indicated net heterotrophy at both depths. Low success in modeling metabolic rates was attributed to low diel DO variability and anomalous diel DO patterns, probably linked to under‐ice physical processes. Seasonal DO patterns for the three winters showed increasing, decreasing, or stable DO trends at 5 m while at 25 m patterns always showed decreasing DO trends but with different rates. Our multiyear study permitted us to hypothesize that the observed intraannual and interannual differences in DO depletion can be attributed to variable snow cover determining the penetration of radiation and thus photosynthesis. This study brings new insights to DO dynamics in ice‐covered systems, highlights the challenges linked to under‐ice lake metabolism, and advocates for a modeling approach that includes physical processes.
The Ultrasonography Image of Abdominal Fat

The incidence of obesity has increased dramatically during recent decades. Obesity increases the risk for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and premature death. The adipose tissue of the obese expresses increased amounts of proinflammatory proteins such as TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β, IL-10, C-reactive protein, soluble ICAM, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and procoagulant proteins such as plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), tissue factor, and factor VII [10-18].
Competitive Conspicuuos Consumption , Household Saving and Income Inequality

An intertemporal decision model is presented in which subjects save less for retirement than the permanent income hypothesis predicts, signaling optimistic income prospects (and therefore high latent productivity) to possible partners in productive exchanges. Competitive conspicuous consumption (CCC), as it is called, is a self-defeating strategy, if followed by subjects simultaneously. Egalitarian policies (which have to be distinguished from pure welfare policies) tend to lower excess consumption. The CCChypothesis justifies a cross-sectional Keynesian consumption function with declining marginal propensities to consume. It is argued that the cultural context is highly relevant to the scope and importance of CCC.
Characterization of P 3 HT : PCBM : CdSe hybrid solar cells

We have investigated the effect of adding CdSe quantum dots (QDs) with their hexadecylamine (HDA) ligands coating in ITO/SPT/P3HT:PCBM/Al bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaic cells (OPV). At first, we found that the optimal thermal treatment was a post cathode deposition annealing, due to an effective surface area 10.8% larger compared to a pre-cathode thermal treatment. Absorbance spectra for hybrid cells with incorporated QDs diameters ranging from 2.2 nm to 6.3 nm show the largest absorbance for 3.3 nm QD diameter. The 3.3 nm QD also gives the lowest power performance. We explained the general degraded performance as an effect of the HDA ligands coating around QDs. Finally, in order to track the lateral inhomogeneity of the final device, we have mapped the I-V over the entire surface cell (2 cm x 2 cm) with a definition of 200 pts x 200 pts. © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of S. E. Shaheen, D. C. Olson, G. Dennler, A. J. Mozer, and J. M. Kroon.