Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Online convex optimization meets sparsity

Tracking time-varying sparse signals is a recent problem with widespread applications. Techniques derived from compressed sensing, Lasso, and Kalman filtering have been proposed in the literature, which mainly present two drawbacks: the prior knowledge of specific evolution models and the lack of theoretical guarantees. In this work, we propose a new perspective on the problem, based on the theory on online convex optimization, which has been developed in the machine learning community. We exploit a strongly convex model, and we develop online algorithms, for which we are able to provide a dynamic regret analysis. A few simulations that support the theoretical results are finally presented.
Protein-Protein Docking: Are We There Yet?

Protein-protein docking algorithms are powerful computational tools, capable of analyzing the protein-protein interactions at the atomic-level. In this chapter, we will review the theoretical concepts behind different protein-protein docking algorithms, highlighting their strengths as well as their limitations and pointing to important case studies for each method. The methods we intend to cover in this chapter include various search strategies and scoring techniques. This includes exhaustive global search, fast Fourier transform search, spherical Fourier transform-based search, direct search in Cartesian space, local shape feature matching, geometric hashing, genetic algorithm, randomized search, and Monte Carlo search. We will also discuss the different ways that have been used to incorporate protein flexibility within the docking procedure and some other future directions in this field, suggesting possible ways to improve the different methods.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE SPORT PROCESS: THE PERSPECTIVE OF ELITE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the coaching knowledge of 24 expert high-performance Brazilian volleyball coaches in the organization of training and competition. A semi-structured interview was used, and the resulting data analyzed following the procedures outlined by Cote and colleagues (Cote and Salmela, 1994, 1996; Cote, Salmela, and Russell, 1995a, 1995b). Overall, the data highlighted that the coaches of male and female teams organized competition and training similarly. Additionally, the organization component comprised not only the planning of training and competition, but also a constant social interaction with the athletes, the athletes’ significant others, the assistant coaches and other technical staff, as well as other sport agents (e.g., administrators). The overall trends are primarily discussed in relation to existing research.
Physiological Correlates of Geographic Range in Animals

We evaluate the extent to which physiological tolerances and capacities can be considered as factors that impact the geographic range of animals. We also discuss the importance of understanding how environmental variability interacts with physiological function, concluding with a consideration of how our understanding of physiology in a macroecological context may contribute to our ability to predict the effects of climate change. The extent to which advances have occurred in predicting geographic range through constructing and testing hypotheses involving tolerances, physiological capacities, and plasticity (namely pervasive plasticity, climatic variability, and the Brattstrom hypothesis) is evaluated. Finally, we attempt to integrate our understanding of the interaction between physiology and distribution within current global warming scenarios. We suggest that it may be necessary to evaluate patterns of physiological diversity as a function of different ecological regions oriented to produce mechanisti.
Kinetics of Ultrahigh Temperature Water-gas Shift Reaction Catalysts Using Simulated Coal-derived Syngas

H2 is currently being widely recognized as a possible energy carrier because of its high energy content and environmental compatibility. H2 production from coal gasification has gained renewed interest because it is recognized as the most abundant fossil fuel. The coal-derived syngas consists mainly of CO and H2. The CO can be further reacted with steam via the water-gas shift reaction (WGSR) to increase the H2 concentration in the syngas. Development of catalyst that can be used at temperature higher than the traditional WGSR operating temperatures is an alternative way to enhance the overall coal-to-H2 thermal efficiency and cost-effective design. With this high temperature catalyst two-stage shift reactors can be reduced to a single reactor and connected at the gasifier exit without the need for syngas cooling. In this study, catalyst performance of WGSR operated in ultrahigh temperature region (750 850 °C) was examined experimentally. Using syngas with various compositions and S/C ratios as feedstock, the chemical reaction kinetics of WGSR using 2.5 wt%Pt 2.5 wt%Ni/5 wt%CeO2/Al2O3 as catalyst can be established based on the experimental data and simple power law. It was found that the prepared catalyst promotes the rate of WGSR when the syngas consists of higher CO concentration and lower CO2 concentration for the operation temperature range studied.
APRENDIZAJE Una aproximación a la evolución de este concepto

This paper brings a description and some comments about the more relevant contributions made to literature about the subject of “digital natives” or the “Net Generation”. We explain the different positions emerged on the development of new cognitive skills or the newer generations' tasks and needs, along with a discussion about related issues for educational policies and teaching practices
Influence of supplemental cassava root sieviate - cassava leaf meal based diets on carcass and economics of production of West African dwarf goats

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the carcass yield, organ characteristics and economics of production of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed cassava root sieviate-cassava leaf meal (CRSCLM) based diets as supplement to Panicum maximum using 36 WAD goats of about 8 to 10 months of age. Four diets T1, T2, T3, and T4, were formulated at the levels of 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% CRSCLM respectively, in a completely randomized design. Each animal received a designated treatment diet in the morning for 97 days. Feed offered was based on 3.5% body weight per day; the animals in addition were fed a kg wilted chopped Panicum maximum later in the day as basal diet to enhance rumination and chime chewing. Result on carcass indices showed significant (p<0.05) influence on live weight at slaughter, empty carcass weight, warm carcass weight, dressing percentage, shoulder, leg, lion, end and shank with T4 having relatively best results. The dressing percentage was numerically (49.59%) best at T4. On the offal weights, head and full guts were significantly (p<0.05) improved for T4 and T1 goats. The organ characteristic proved the safety of using CRSCLM through the significantly (p<0.05) lower organ weights at T4 goats. Cost per kg feed, feed cost/weight gain and cost/benefit ratio were positive influenced (p<0.05) at T4 with expected income of ^4.79 per ^1 invested. It could therefore be concluded that WAD goats fed 60% CRSCLM had the best carcass and organ yields at a reduced feed cost.Keyword: WAD goat, Cassava leaf meal, cassava root sieviate, cost/benefit ratio
Competition in the U.S. Mutual Fund Industry: A performance evaluation of actively managed domestic equity mutual funds

I evaluate a total of 204 U.S. equity mutual funds split into one major group and one additional group for the time period 2002-2016. The major group consists of the ten largest U.S. mutual fund families based on AUM while the additional group consists of a sample of the remaining operative U.S. mutual fund families. The major group manages 58% of U.S. mutual fund supply, thus indicating a non-competitive market structure. By comparing the performances of these two particular groups, I investigate whether the current market structure within the U.S. mutual fund industry is beneficial from the point of view of U.S. investors. That is, is their aggregated private wealth efficiently invested considering that as few as ten U.S. mutual fund families are managing the majority of it? Or would they experience an increased yield if they rather reallocated it into the additional fund families? Moreover, I benchmark the performance of each group to adequate market indices in order to investigate whether the active management pays off. I find that out of my 28 regressions, eight yield alphas statistically significantly different from zero at the 1% level. Additionally, when comparing each group´s mean alpha to each other, I find a statistically significant difference for large value stocks net of fees to a significance of 99%. These findings combined suggest that the major group perform superior to the additional group and which accordingly justifies the fact that the major group manage the majority of U.S. mutual fund supply. My findings further support the fact, although with varying levels of statistical significance, that the active management by the two groups is generally not worth paying for since the fees exceed the beta-adjusted excess returns, interpreted as the actively managed mutual funds outperform the market on a gross level but once the fees are paid the net alphas inversely underperform the market. This tendency within the performance of mutual funds is in line with previous research. (Less)
Passive internal transport of aquatic organisms by waterfowl in Doñana, south-west Spain

Aim Waterbirds may play an important role in the maintenance of aquatic ecosystem biodiversity by transporting plants and invertebrate propagules between different wetlands. The aim of this study is to provide the first quantitative analysis of the transport of plant and animal propagules by a community of waterbirds. Location Donana marshes in south-west Spain. Methods We quantified the number of intact seeds and invertebrate eggs in 386 faecal samples from 11 migratory waterfowl species (10 ducks and coot), collected from 3 November to 3 December 1998 (when birds were arriving from further north), and 22‐25 February 1999 (when birds were leaving Donana). Results Intact seeds of at least 7 plant genera, and invertebrate eggs (ephippia of at least 2 crustacea, statoblasts of at
Seasonal Index and Breeding Efficiency of Red Chittagong Cattle in Bangladesh

A b s t r a c t The study was aimed to observe reproductive pattern and efficiency of Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) including reproductive history taken from two different herds; nucleus herd (on-station) and community herd (on-farm) in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. A total of 184 calving parity records from 66 RCC cows that included 317 estrous, 164 conception and 178 calving history covering a period from 2005 to 2011 were considered for analyses. The highest frequencies of estrous, conception and calving occurred in May (13%, 15% and 14%, respectively), while the lowest in September for estrous (4%) and conception (4%) and April and June for calving (5%). The month of the year had significant (p 0.05). There was no significant effect of season with estrous or conception or calving, but numerically highest incidence of estrous and conception in summer (36% and 38%, respectively) and calving in winter (36%) are noted. The seasonal indexes of calving in the on-station and on-farm herds were 0.73 and 0.78 respectively, with an overall mean of 0.68. The breeding or reproductive efficiency of the nucleus herd was estimated based on calving interval and age at first calving along with calving interval and the calculated results were 79 % and 82%, respectively for those two methods of estimation. The result obtained in this study indicates the reproductive behavior of RCC did not differ significantly by season, but varied with month of the year. In addition, reproductive efficiency of RCC in this study was slightly lower than that of expected.
Stochastic Stabilization of Itô Stochastic Systems with Markov Jumping and Linear Fractional Uncertainty

For a class of Ito stochastic linear systems with the Markov jumping and linear fractional uncertainty, the stochastic stabilization problem is investigated via state feedback and dynamic output feedback, respectively. In order to guarantee the stochastic stability of such uncertain systems, state feedback and dynamic output control law are, respectively, designed by using multiple Lyapunov function technique and LMI approach. Finally, two numerical examples are presented to illustrate our results.
Research on Self-healing Composite Materials

In the using of materials, kinds of injury which is sometimes difficult to repair or too costly to repair may appear in the surface and interior, which will shorten the life of the materials. Self-healing technology can be used to improve material reliability and extend the service life, so composite materials with self-healing capability become an important research content of smart materials. Self- healing materials can perform self-diagnosis after suffered from external forces and repair the crack or damage in a certain degree. According to the healing agents applied or not in the self-healing process, self-healing methods in polymer materials can be classified into extrinsic self- healing and intrinsic self-healing. Based on the latest research achievements, several typical extrinsic self- healing methods are summarized, including microcapsule self-healing, hollow-fiber self-healing and microcapsule self-healing. Several repairing mechanisms, self-healing system characteristic, existing problems and present research status are elaborated. Future research on self- healing materials is prospected, optimizing and developing new healing agents system in order to improve the self- healing efficiency and realizing the true smart materials.
The role of task complexity in valuation errors analysis in a developing real estate market

Abstract The real estate valuation literature on sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) shows a growing concern over valuation errors, especially wide variation in valuations. Although there have been increased business and investment activities in the last decade or more in the region, these valuation errors pose a challenge to the maturity of SSA real estate markets as valuations promote transparency and support efficient operation of property markets. Based on archival and survey data, as well as insights from the task complexity discourse, this study examines the extent of variations in valuations and the effect of complex valuation tasks on the levels of the variations in Ghana. The study finds high levels of variations in valuation opinions of 33.6–63% for the archival and survey data, respectively. These levels of variations are substantially higher than have been reported in the literature for advanced markets suggesting that the concerns of valuation errors in SSA may be well grounded. Consistent with theory, it is further established that variations in valuation opinions may be more pronounced in comparatively more complex assignments. These findings have several implications including possible loss of confidence of market players in valuations, heightening of market uncertainty and increase in transaction costs.
EARLY WINTER TEMPERATURE RECONSTRUCTION OF SINAIA AREA (ROMANIA) DERIVED FROM TREE-RINGS OF SILVER FIR (ABIES ALBA MILL.)

The study aims at investigating the long-term evolution of the early winter temperatures in a mountainous area from the Southern Carpathians, around the town of Sinaia. The reconstruction of the temperature is based on dating tree-rings of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), and it goes back to the 18 th century. In agreement with dendrochronological principles, 20 silver fir trees were selected for sampling. The climatic data (monthly temperature and precipitation) are used as statistic predictors, and the growing indices as predicted variables. The sign and the size of the correlation coefficients are interpreted as a growth response of the tree to a specific climatic variable in a certain month. The transfer function was quantified using linear regression. The climatic dataset refers to Sinaia weather station, and it covers the interval 1961-2003. Based on the analyses of the two temporal series (tree-rings derived and weather stations data), we emphasize alternative sequences of years or decades with warm/cold early winters: the intervals 1790- 1802, 1874-1888, and 1945-1956, 1980-2000 had cold winters, while the winters started with warm temperatures during the periods 1836-1846, 1860-1873, and 1934-1944. Based on this alternative of the period with warm and cold early winter we can suggest that the next decade, probably, will be warmer than the period 1980-2000.
Torsion-free G2-structures with identical Riemannian metric

Based on a general formula due to Bryant, we work out the topological structure of the space of torsion-free [Formula: see text]-structures generating the same associated Riemannian metric on a compact [Formula: see text]-manifold. We also identify a corresponding Lie group-theoretic structure of the space. These observations are then used to describe the moduli space of torsion-free [Formula: see text]-structures in certain cases — by way of covering spaces.
Expecting Irony: Context Versus Salience-Based Effects

Results from 4 experiments support the view that, regardless of contextual information, when an end-product interpretation of an utterance does not rely on the salient (lexicalized and prominent) meanings of its components, it will not be faster than nor as fast to derive as when it does. To test this view, we looked into interpretations of salience-based (here, literal) interpretations and expectation-based (here, ironic) interpretations in contexts inducing an expectation for irony. In Experiment 1, expectancy was manipulated by introducing an ironic speaker in vivo who also uttered the target utterance. Findings show that ironic targets were slower to read than literal counterparts. Experiment 2 shows that ironies took longer to read than literals and that response times to ironically related probes were longer than to literally related probes, regardless of context. Experiments 3 and 4 show that, even when participants were given extra processing time and were exclusively presented ironically biasing contexts, the expectancy for irony acquired throughout such exposure did not facilitate expectancy-based compared to salience-based interpretations.
Multiple disturbances and the global degradation of coral reefs: are reef fishes at risk or resilient?

Increased frequency of disturbances and anthropogenic activities are predicted to have a devastating impact on coral reefs that will ultimately change the composition of reef associated fish communities. We reviewed and analysed studies that document the effects of disturbance‐mediated coral loss on coral reef fishes. Meta‐analysis of 17 independent studies revealed that 62% of fish species declined in abundance within 3 years of disturbances that resulted in >10% decline in coral cover. Abundances of species reliant on live coral for food and shelter consistently declined during this time frame, while abundance of some species that feed on invertebrates, algae and/or detritus increased. The response of species, particularly those expected to benefit from the immediate loss of coral, is, however, variable and is attributed to erratic replenishment of stocks, ecological versatility of species and sublethal responses, such as changes in growth, body condition and feeding rates. The diversity of fish communities was found to be negatively and linearly correlated to disturbance‐mediated coral loss. Coral loss >20% typically resulted in a decline in species richness of fish communities, although diversity may initially increase following small declines in coral cover from high coverage. Disturbances that result in an immediate loss of habitat complexity (e.g. severe tropical storms), have a greater impact on fishes from all trophic levels, compared with disturbances that kill corals, but leave the reef framework intact (e.g. coral bleaching and outbreaks of Acanthaster planci). This is most evident among small bodied species and suggests the long‐term consequences of coral loss through coral bleaching and crown‐of‐thorn starfish outbreaks may be much more substantial than the short‐term effects currently documented.
Tissue Regeneration without Scarring Achieved by Enhancing the Alternative Cellular Energy (ACE) Pathway

The inflammatory and fibrous responses to injuries are painful and are inhibitory to the regeneration of specialized cells. The fibrous scarring of skin injuries can also be disfiguring. Cells obtain energy not only from the metabolism of food, but also via the alternative cellular energy (ACE) pathway. The ACE pathway is reflected in a dynamic (kinetic) quality of the body’s fluids. It is postulated to result from the absorption of an environmental force called KELEA (kinetic energy limiting electrostatic attraction). The body’s ACE pathway can be enhanced by the parental administration and even the oral consumption of products comprising KELEA activated water. One of these products, termed Enercel, was originally considered a complex homeopathic remedy. Another product is water containing electrolysis-generated, copper-silver-citrate (CSC) complexes. This product was initially formulated to be bacteriocidal, especially for Gram positive bacteria. This article describes the independent successful use of each of these two products in achieving essentially painless, scar-free healing of skin injuries. The skin injuries were due to a variety of causes including: vascular insufficiency from diabetes; hot water burn; penetrating object; chronic infection; and surgical incision. It is proposed that the ACE pathway increases the resilience of cells of the innate immune system to the triggering of an inflammatory reaction by “danger signals” released from damaged tissues. KELEA activated water should be widely available for the urgent therapy of burns and other traumatic injuries to the skin. ACE pathway enhancing modalities also need to be evaluated in the repair of cellular damage occurring to the heart, brain and other internal organs of the body.
Ranking tourism attractions based on potential to attract tourists by using numerical taxonomy model (case: City of Khoy)

Today, tourism industry is counted as one of the largest and most diverse industries in the world so that it is a major source of foreign exchange earnings, employment, creating social justice, cultural growth, welfare increase, and a field for private sector growth and a tool for infrastructure development. Having diverse natural and human tourism attractions, city of Khoy is one of the main destinations of tourists in Iran and Western Azerbaijnan province that attract many tourists annually. Given high tourism potential and diversity of attractions, it is important and inevitable to prioritize and identify tourism prone areas in this region. Thus, attractive tourism areas in this city have been prioritized in this research with descriptive-analytical method and by using numerical Taxonomy model. According to the results, Shams Tabrizi Tower in the city of Khoy has the greatest potential to attract tourists in the city. In contrast, despite Badlan waterfall and protected area of Marakan are pure natural attractions of city of Khoy with potential tourism power, in terms of attracting tourists, but lack of facilities, services and available infrastructure, and risk of natural hazards in these areas resulted in relative failure of these areas in attracting tourists.