Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PSI-based methodology to land subsidence mechanism recognition

Abstract. A methodology based on Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) is proposed in order to disentangle the contribution of different processes that act at different spatio-temporal scales in land subsidence (i.e. vadose zone processes as swelling/shrinkage of clay soils, soil consolidation and fluid extraction). The methodology was applied in different Italian geological contexts characterized by natural and anthropic processes (i.e. a Prealpine valley and the Po Plain in northern Italy).
Towards Better Comparability of Software Retrieval Approaches Through a Standard Collection of Reusable Artifacts

The idea of component-based software reuse as a cornerstone of a more engineering-like approach to software development has been around for more than four deca des. Since software and its building blocks represent an important and valuable intellectual asset for most companies, researchers have been struggling for nearly the same time to ge t their hands on a substantial amount of reusable material to experiment with. Only the advent of the open source movem ent mitigated this problem considerably and hence inspired interesting new research in this area within the last decade. H owever, basically all novel software retrieval solutions of that period have been developed and evaluated independently fro m each other and are thus by no means comparable with one another. To address this flaw, an initiative was started to foster the creation of a reference reuse collection for softwa re search and retrieval, which is intended as a common baseline f or future comparison of software retrieval systems. In this p aper we explain the motivation for this initiative, identif y and discuss important foundations as well as open issues and pr esent an initial sketch of architecture, content and practical prerequisites of such a collection. Keywords-component-based software development; software reuse; software search; software retrieval; reference collection.
Love in the First Degree: Individual Differences in First-Person Pronoun Use and Adult Romantic Attachment Styles

The current project brings together over 1,400 observations drawn from seven studies to examine relations between adult romantic attachment styles and pronoun use. In each study, participants provided autobiographical narratives from the romantic domain and completed measures assessing their attachment styles. Pronoun use in the resulting narrative material was quantified using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count. Across studies, anxious and avoidant attachment styles were found to relate positively with I-talk and negatively with we-talk, respectively. Furthermore, after accounting for a range of demographic (e.g., age) and psychological (e.g., neuroticism) covariates, the negative relation between avoidant attachment and we-talk remained significant. Thus, the pronouns individuals use when describing their romantic experiences provide indication of their attachment styles. As such, this project carries implications for the detection and diagnosis of romantic domain functioning.
A review of vertebrate track assemblages from the Late Jurassic of Asturias, Spain with comparative notes on coeval ichnofaunas from the western USA: implications for faunal diversity in siliciclastic facies assemblages.

Upper Jurassic tetrapod tracks from Asturias (Spain) are similar to those from the famous Morrison Forma- tion of the Rocky Mountain Region (western USA). Both regions provide evidence of diverse faunas comprising dinosaurs (theropods, sauropods and ornithischians), pterosaurs, crocodilians and turtles which indicate faunas consistent with known skeletal remains. Almost all these groups are represented by at least two, if not as many as four or more, distinctive track morphotypes, giving a cumulative ichno-diversity of at least 12- 15 ichnotaxa. At least half of these are diagnostic to the ichnogenus level. Thus, the ichnofaunas provide a useful, generalized census of the Upper Jurassic faunas in these regions. Although there are some ambiguities about the probable identities of the makers of some tridactyl tracks, both assemblages are remarkably similar in overall composition. Most differences between the ichnofaunas reflect subtle distinctions that re- flect differences in size and diversity within the major track groups. Some differences can also be attributed to preservational factors. The Asturian assemblages is dominated by isolated specimens from cliff outcrops in a small area, whereas the Mor- rison ichnofaunas is based on in situ sites from a very large area of more than 500,000 km 2 .
Rock mass disturbance effects on slope assessments using limit equilibrium method

From the current literature and some related practice, the rock mass disturbance was found having significant influence on evaluating rock slope stability, especially for the rock slope composed by poor quality rock masses. However the effect of this disturbance on the overall rock slope stability has not been thoroughly investigated. This paper adopts the limit equilibrium method (LEM) and the latest version of the Hoek-Brown failure criterion to investigate the rock mass disturbance effects on the rock slope stability evaluations. In addition, this paper considers a range of recommended damage zone thickness. Some stability charts will be proposed and potential influence zones are discussed.
Unit Root Tests under Time-Varying Variances

Abstract The paper provides a general framework for investigating the effects of permanent changes in the variance of the errors of an autoregressive process on unit root tests. Such a framework – which is based on a novel asymptotic theory for integrated and near integrated processes with heteroskedastic errors – allows to evaluate how the variance dynamics affect the size and the power function of unit root tests. Contrary to previous studies, it is shown that non-constant variances can both inflate and deflate the rejection frequency of the commonly used unit root tests, both under the null and under the alternative, with early negative and late positive variance changes having the strongest impact on size and power. It is also shown that shifts smoothed across the sample have smaller impacts than shifts occurring as a single abrupt jump, while periodic variances have a negligible effect even when a small number of cycles take place over a given sample. Finally, it is proved that the locally best invariant (LBI) test of a unit root against level stationarity is robust to heteroskedasticity of any form under the null hypothesis.
ASSOCIATION FOR CONSUMER RESEARCH

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of cognitive age in relation to demographics and innovativeness. Results of this study suggest the mediational role of cognitive age. It signals not only the message of chronological age, but also the information of other demographic characteristics. Furthermore, it directly determines consumers' adoption behaviors of high-tech products. Focusing on cognitive age, therefore, marketers can both efficiently and effectively segment their markets. Finally, marketers can create a younger cognitive age in consumers through enhanced communication marketing efforts. In this way, cognitive age can be transformed into a controllable strategic variable.
Exome sequencing: what clinicians need to know

The recent development of high throughput methods of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing has made it possible to determine individual genome sequences and their specific variations. A region of particular interest is the protein-coding part of the genome, or exome, which is composed of gene exons. The principles of exome purification and sequencing will be described in this review, as well as analyses of the data generated. Results will be discussed in terms of their possible functional and clinical significance. The advantages and limitations of exome sequencing will be compared to those of other massive sequencing approaches such as whole-genome sequencing, ribonucleic acid sequencing or selected DNA sequencing. Exome sequencing has been used recently in the study of various diseases. Monogenic diseases with Mendelian inheritance are among these, but studies have also been carried out on genetic varia- tions that represent risk factors for complex diseases. Cancer is another intensive area for exome sequencing studies. Several examples of the use of exome sequencing in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of these diseases will be described. Finally, remaining challenges and some practical and ethical considerations for the clinical application of exome sequencing will be discussed.
Linking car racing attendee expectations and values with trust, satisfaction and loyalty outcomes

Few sports events studies attempt multi-level understanding of consumer-perceived values as potential pathways towards competitive advantage and market leadership. This study of 1242 car racing attendees, shows value as a five dimensional higher-order construct; develops six motivational attendee groupings; frames: pre-event expectations, at-event values, and postevent satisfaction, trust and loyalty along a timeline consumer perception process; and finally shows the common pathways of the values-expectations outcomes model across different consumer groups. Implied timeline-related survey verbiage remains an important consideration as each construct measurement item is operationalized. This paper is of use to major events managers, marketers and retail researchers.
Fuzzy BIBO Stability of Linear Control Systems

In this paper, the concept of stability for fuzzy control sys- tems is discussed from a mathematical point of view. Our main objec- tive is to investigate the stability of fuzzy linear systems with bounded input and bounded output. Necessary and sufficient conditions for this kind of stability are presented by a theorem and it is illustrated by solving an example. AMS Subject Classification: 06D72; 34H05; 34K20
Validation of the "Important Other" Climate Questionnaire: Assessing Autonomy Support for Health-Related Change.

Self-determination theory suggests that autonomy support from others is important in motivating change of various health behaviors. The present research provides initial validation for the Important Other Climate Questionnaire for smoking (IOCQ–S)and for diet (IOCQ–D)in the context of a large (N 1,006)intensive tobacco treatment and dietary intervention trial. These scales are intended to measure the degree of autonomy support patients experience from important others (non-health care professionals)with respect to tobacco abstinence and eating a healthy diet. Results indicate the measures are reliable ( .87 smoking and .95 diet)and valid. Important other support was associated with change in perceived autonomy and perceived competence for target behaviors. Further, the IOCQ–S was associated with 7-day point prevalence cessation and 6-month prolonged abstinence from tobacco. The IOCQ–D was associated with a change in the percentage of calories from fat, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat. Initial reliability and validity are supported for the IOCQ.
A CIRCULARLY POLARIZED APERTURE STACKED PATCH MICROSTRIP ANTENNA FOR L BAND

The design and manufacture of a circular polarized aperture stacked patch circular microstrip patch antenna (CPASPA) at L-band is presented. The Wilkinson power divider is used to excite the stacked circular patches by two orthogonal H-shape slots, which can improve the operation bandwidth and circularly polarized performance. The design is optimized by a series of parametric study of the input impedance for the antenna. The measurements show that the CPASPA has a 3-dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth of 55.0% and a 10-dB return loss (RL) bandwidth of 47.0%. The measured gain is more than 0dBic over the bandwidth of 42.5%, in which the maximum is 9.4dBic. The measurements agree very well with the simulation results.
Study of Factors Affecting Measurement of Perceived Quality of Educational Services Using the Gap Analysis Model- SERVQUAL

This study aimed at examining the factors that led to the emergence of a negative gap between the students’ perception and their expectations. It focused on measuring the four gaps, identified by the model (SERVQUAL), as the cause of the fifth gap. The study tackled the staff of the administrative and financial Sciences department as well as the other departments that have a direct relationship with the students in the second semester (2014-2015) at the University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS). The study found out statistically disappearance of the four gaps although there are some relative differences between the gaps’ variables. The study also showed that there is a difference between the management perception and the staff perception of the students’ needs. Additionally, the study showed that there is a discrepancy between the quality parameters in terms of strengths and weaknesses. Finally, the study recommended the need to exert efforts to achieve the highest match between the expectations of the students and recognition of the institution to these expectations. It also recommended the need for employees to be aware of the available information to raise the students' awareness.
CURRENCY UNION, FREE-TRADE AREAS, AND BUSINESS CYCLE SYNCHRONIZATION

Since the 1970s, the characteristics of international business cycles have changed, and deeper economic integration has modified the features of cross-country comovement. We formally test for correlation shifts in measures of real economic activity and economic/financial integration. In Europe we find some statistically significant evidence of higher correlations for several subgroups of countries following the creation of the EMU in 1999. We detect significantly more pronounced correlations between Mexico and the United States and between Mexico and Canada in North America after the enforcement of the NAFTA in 1994. Results are derived from an econometric framework based on nonparametric iterated stationary bootstrap methods, whose statistical reliability and performance we assess through Monte Carlo simulations.
MEMS switch contact bouncing mitigation using novel dual-pulse actuation voltage

A novel dual-pulse actuation voltage that reduces dielectric charging in micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switch and thus leading to a longer switch lifetime, are shown to simultaneously mitigate MEMS switch contact bouncing. A simple mass-spring-damper mathematical model is used to simulate movement of the switch contact as the excitation voltage is applied. The model shows that the novel dual-pulse voltages damped the acceleration of the switch membrane as it approaches the contact point, eventually slowing it down and minimized the impact force. This has the effect of minimizing the occurrence of contact bouncing. Practical experiment on the commercial TeraVicta TT712-68CSP MEMS switch corroborates that the novel excitation voltages reduced bouncing
Cognitive Mechanism of Analogy and its Role in Processes of Primary Metaphor Creation

The article deals with the problem of the cognitive nature of metaphor formed in the medium of mythological consciousness of the primitive human. It is supposed that such the main features of the mythological thinking as sensory concreteness and inability to form abstract notions caused the nature of the primary metaphor which was formed through the cognitive mechanism of analogy the surrounding objects and phenomena, and the inner mental states of the human – this metaphor was not linguistic, but concrete and sensory. It is ascertained that the direction of metaphorization in the primitive consciousness was inverted to modern one, because the modern people mind uses more intelligible concrete concepts to express abstract concepts, but the primitive humans conceiving themselves as a part of the nature and understanding their inner world as the outer one projected their inner states, which are comprehended as abstract now, onto the natural phenomena, which can be perceived through the organs of sense. It is argued that formation of critical abstract thinking is related with the development of the human cognitive abilities, what caused the metaphorization veer and also the transition from the mythological mind to linguistic one. It is analyzed three approaches to solving the problem of the relation between language and myth where an important argument was the metaphoricity both of thinking and language: 1) the linguistic theory of myth by M. Müller according to which the loss initial sense of the linguistic metaphor generated myth; 2) the theory of myth based not on the linguistic metaphor, but on the concrete sensory analogy of the real objects and human perceptions (E. Tylor, A. Potebnya); 3) Neo-Kantian theory by E. Cassirer which postulates the simultaneous development of language and myth which have the common sources. It is proved that metaphoricity is inherent in the human mind of every historical period, because the linguistic metaphor is based on the cognitive one, that is the latter makes it possible to comprehend the world and ourselves in this world and express the obtained knowledge by means of language. At the same time, metaphoricity and abstractness of thinking are harmonious processes which provides the productive cognizing of the world and the creative working its results out through the fixation of them in the linguistic forms.
Abnormal cardiovascular autonomic regulation in Parkinson's disease

It is well documented that Parkinson’s disease may be associated with a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. In idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, this dysfunction can be explained by damage to neurological structures. Histological studies have proven the presence of Lewi’s bodies in sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionary neurons and also in central structures associated with the autonomic regulation [1]. To characterize the cardiovascular autonomic regulation, reflex tests of various complexity, such as the Valsalva maneuver or active orthostasis were traditionally used. These tests were often carried out in panels as a test series [2, 3]. A well-known example is the Ewing Panel [4]. In recent years, several studies have been reported in which Parkinson’s disease patients were tested by this method. [5–15]. These tests require an active participation of the patients, and thus the hypokinesis, rigidity and tremor characteristic of Parkinson’s disease led to serious limitations. It is obvious that with some patients these tests are infeasible or the results are meaningless. The measurement of autonomic parameters using power spectrum analysis of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) and a non-invasive determination of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) does not require the active participation of patients. One aim of the present study was to determine the markers of heart rate and blood pressure variability (HRV and BPV) in Parkinson’s disease. A further goal was to verify our presumption that the pathological BRS level separates the disordered autonomic regulation and autonomically intact subgroups of Parkinson’s disease patients.
Evaluation of Mechanical Properties and Cell Viability of Poly (3-Hydroxybutyrate)-Chitosan/Al2O3 Nanocomposite Scaffold for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of alumina nanowires as reinforcement phases in polyhydroxybutyrate-chitosan (PHB-CTS) scaffolds to apply in cartilage tissue engineering. Methods: A certain proportion of polymers and alumina was chosen. After optimization of electrospun parameters, PHB, PHB-CTS, and PHB-CTS/3% Al2O3nanocomposite scaffolds were randomly electrospun. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water contact angle measurement, tensile strength, and chondrocyte cell culture studies were used to evaluate the physical, mechanical, and biological properties of the scaffolds. Results: The average fiber diameter of scaffolds was 300–550 nm and the porosity percentages for the first layer of all types of scaffolds were more than 81%. Scaffolds' hydrophilicity was increased by adding alumina and CTS. The tensile strength of scaffolds decreased by adding CTS and increased up to more than 10 folds after adding alumina. Chondrocyte viability and proliferation on scaffolds were better after adding CTS and alumina to PHB. Conclusion: With regard to the results, electrospun PHB-CTS/3% Al2O3scaffold has the appropriate potential to apply in cartilage tissue engineering.
The Role of Interest Rates and Provincial Monetary Aggregate in Maintaining Regional Inflation in Indonesia

In most countries, monetary policies are implemented in order to maintain economic stability. The policy may employ interest rate or money supply to derive the assigned national inflation target. Most studies investigate the relationship between monetary policy and inflation use national data. Based on the idea that inflation is a regional phenomenon, the application of provincial data might be more appropriate explaining the relationship between monetary policy and inflation. The study elaborate the impact of changes in provincial money supply, BI Rate (interest rates of central bank), and PUAB (money market interest rates) to regional inflation in the framework Hybrid New Keynesian Phillips Curve (HNKPC). The study employs Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) techniques on panel data of 32 provinces from 2005-III to 2014-IV. The data is classified into 4 groups, which are Jawa-Bali (W1), Sumatera (W2), Kalimantan-Sulawesi (W3), and Papua-Maluku-Nusa Tenggara (W4). The estimation result shows that provincial monetary aggregate influence inflation significantly only in Sumatera. Furthermore, inflation is also effect by BI Rate in Sumatera and Kalimantan-Sulawesi. The study also found that PUAB is significantly affecting inflation in almost all Indonesian regions, except Kalimantan-Sulawesi. This study concludes that interest rates, BI rate and PUAB, is more appropriate than change in provincial money supply to control provincial inflation. Keywords: monetary policy, regional inflation, hybrid NKPC JEL Classification Numbers: E31, E52, R19
Home elderly monitoring network built by smart-phone applications

Improvements in information technology and reliability of web based applications along with availability of mobile devices with high computational power, capacious memories, high-resolution displays and open operating systems that encourage application development, have provided a suitable foundation for collecting, analyzing and delivering patients’ vital data through health care applications as well as a reliable platform for establishing a portal to facilitate health care services. The capabilities of smart mobile devices have empowered realization of cheap yet high performing web-enabled solutions. The usage simplicity and availability of these smart devices have made them very well suited for home monitoring and care services of elderly and chronically ill population. The goal of this paper is to perform a case study on elderly community as well as patients with chronic diseases, to investigate the impacts and potential risks of Mobile Health Care Monitoring and patient centered health applications on their lives. The results and at a later stage the conclusion of this research are based on interviews which were conducted on elderly people with or without chronic diseases, developers who had a background in eHealth, and doctors with experiences within eHealth services. The interviewees were selected from different countries in order to obtain information from a broader audience using similar services. This study covers health and technical risks associated to home monitoring networks and eHealth care services from different aspects.