Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Augmented l1 Minimization with Weibull Matrix

The linearized Bregman iteration was successful used to find the sparse signal from the its noise measurements. It was proved that the iteration algorithm converges to the augmented minimization problem [4]. This paper mainly considers the measurement matrix which is generated by the Weibull random distribution. With the optimal number of the measurements, the stability of the augmented minimization model is given. Index Terms Compressed sensing, sparsity, robust null space property, Weibull random variable, linearized Bregman iteration
A Satellite Remote Sensing Based Land Surface Temperature Retrieval From Landsat Tm Data.

Land Surface Temperature (LST) of Lokoja town were retrieved from LandSat TM imagery of 1987. The NDVI and land emissivity were estimated from visible and near infrared bands, while the effective satellite temperature was estimated from the thermal infrared band. The Qin et al's mono-window algorithm was employed to obtain the land surface temperatures of the different land use/cover types in Lokoja town. The result indicated that vacant land and built-up have the highest LST values of 331.13K and 329.82K, and vegetation, water bodies and cultivated land having the least with 294.03K, 296.76K and 306.06K respectively. The average retrieved LST for Lokoja town is 311.65K. Finally, a cross validation between the LST measured in situ and the retrieved LST shows a 9.60K difference. This method is very effective in the monitoring and studying of both environmental and atmospheric changes witnessed at all levels. Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management Vol. 1 (3) 2008: pp. 63-70
The Market for Virtue: The Potential and Limits of Corporate Social Responsibility

The Market for Virtue: The Potential and Limits of Corporate Social Responsibility. By David Vogel. Washington, DC: The Brookings Institute, 2005. 222p. $28.95. Is there a “market for virtue”? If so, what can it do, and what can it not do to improve our world? In his incisive new book, David Vogel takes aim at these questions and the now-fashionable claim that there is a business case for corporate social responsibility (CSR). He concludes that there is no business case that can be generalized to all firms per se, but there is a political case for broadening what we mean by that much-used term.
The value of health information exchange

Correspondence: Joshua E Richardson 402 East 67th Street, Mailbox 75, New York, NY 10065, USA Tel +1 646 962 8069 Fax +1 646 962 0281 Email jor2032@med.cornell. edu Abstract: Health information exchange (HIE) is a key component of health care reform that enables clinical data sharing between providers, patients, and health care organizations. The value of HIE rests in the promise that more efficient and effective access to clinical data will improve patients’ condition-specific outcomes relative to the costs. For example, improvements in outcomes may result from fewer medical errors and improved adherence to evidence-based recommendations, whereas reductions in costs may result from fewer duplicate tests and improved care coordination. However, even though health care reform efforts promote HIE as a way to improve care and curb costs, few studies demonstrate these results. We have organized the available evidence at national and regional levels to report on costs and benefits associated with HIE, and identify potential areas of future research.
Widely tunable multiband reconfigurable patch antenna for wireless applications

A design of a low profile reconfigurable microstrip patch antenna is presented. The antenna consists of four sup-patches connected to one feed line, each sub-patch generates a single band. By placing a variable capacitor at the input of the sub-patches, the impedance matching frequency of the antenna can be tuned over a wide range starting from 0.92 GHz to 2.98 GHz with total tunability rang of 2060 MHz. The proposed antenna designed to operate in the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM900, 880–960 MHz)/ Digital Communication System (DCS1800, 1710–1880 MHz)/ Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 1920–2170 MHz)/ Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN, 2400–2483.5 MHz)/ and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX, 2495–2700 MHz). The total size of the proposed antenna is 50 × 50 mm2 which is suitable for small wireless devices.
DOES VISITORS' DEMOGRAPHICS, STATUS, LENGTH-OF-STAY, AND TRAVEL PARTY AFFECT LOYALTY INDICATORS? A CASE OF VISITORS TO EL-GÖLÜ PARK, IRAN

The main objectives of this study are to examine the effect of visitors' demographics, status (first timer or repeater visitor), length-of-stay, and travel party on the loyalty indicators, and to investigate whether there are any differences of visitors' loyalty indicators between male and female visitors, between single and married visitors, between visitors of different age groups, different education groups, different occupation groups, between first timer or repeater visitors, those who stayed in El-Golu Park, and those who traveled alone or with friends or with family. In this study we focused on three loyalty indicators: recommending to other, willingness to positive word-of-mouth and intent to return. Results revealed that education level affected willingness to positive word-of-mouth and intent to return, and travel party influenced recommending to other. Results also indicated that there were significant differences in willingness to positive word-of-mouth and intent to return between visitors of different education groups, as well as in recommending to other among visitors of different travel party groups.
COMBINED TRELLIS CODED QUANTIZATION / MODULATION ( SCNN-CNN CTCQ / TCM ) APPROACH OVER RICIAN FADING CHANNEL

In this paper, Segmented Cellular Neural Network-Cellular Neural Network Combined Trellis Coded Quantization/M odulation (SCNN-CNN CTCQ/TCM) scheme is introduced. Here, a gray scaled image is lowered to 3 bit using our proposed Segmented Cellular Neural Network approach (SCNN) and then passed through a new CNN based structure which models combined trellis coded quantization / modulation. The performance of our combined scheme has been analyzed over Rician fading channel. Computer simulations studies confirm the analytical upper bound curves.
Performance of clustered OFDM with low density parity check codes over dispersive channels

A new LDPC coded clustered OFDM system with 16QAM modulation operating over a frequency selective fast fading channel is presented. Various channel estimation methods are studied and pilot-symbol-aided channel estimation with uniquely designed spacing pattern is used to obtain channel side information for fast fading. A BER of 10/sup -6/ is achieved at 12.8 dB with Doppler frequency f/sub m/ = 200 Hz and 14.8 dB with f/sub m/ = 100 Hz. The overall capacity of this system is about 1.56 bit/s/Hz. Compared with other wideband systems, it has much better performance in fading channels than the LPDC coded classical OFDM and is much simpler than TTCM-OFDM system.
Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle in Guadeloupe, French West Indies

J. Aquat. Plant Manage. 46: 2008. Ren, T. R. , H. W. Yang, X. Gao, X. L. Yang and J. J. Zhou. 2000. Design, synthesis and structure-activity relationships of novel ALS-inhibitors. Pest Manage. Sci. 56:218-226. Smith, C. S. and G. D. Pullman. 1997. Experience using Sonar® A.S. aquatic herbicide in Michigan. Lake Reserv. Manage. 13:338-346. Tranel, P. J. and T. R. Wright. 2002. Resistance of weeds to ALS-inhibiting herbicides: what have we learned? Weed Sci. 50:700-712. WSSA (Weed Science Society of America). 2007. Herbicide Handbook, 9 th ed. W. K. Vencill (ed.). Lawrence, KS. 493 pp. USDA, NRCS. 2007. The PLANTS Database. http://plants.usda. gov. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-449 USA. Accessed 1 February 2007.
The Influence of Heterogenous Bargaining Strengths on Optimal Wage Negotitations

In this paper I show that - in contrast to the …ndings in the previous literature - substi- tutable workers can be better onegotiating in separate unions and complementary workers in one encompassing union. In addition, I …nd that results do not dier if two craft unions merge and negotiate as one bargaining agent or whether two separate craft unions negotiate with …rms in one negotiation.
Audio Power Amplifier Solutions for New Wireless Phones

Summary This paper presents a single chip class D amplifier with two selectable gains 6dB & 9dB, 1.4 W output power and 86% efficiency with an 8 ohm load. This chip uses a frequencies trimable ramp generator. Input Clock Frequency Range with 250kHz – 550kHz and 8 bits trim, 4 bits (LSB) to trim the ramp amplitude to vdd/5 peak-to-peak, 4 bits (MSB) to adjust the ramp continuity, the trimming procedures consists on putting a zero input signal, and adjust the trim code such as to get a 50% duty cycle Pulse Wide Modulation output signal, Reduction of intermodulation in case of mixing of Audio and Voice. It operates with a 2.5 V to 5.5V supply voltage, 0.5 um, doublepoly, triple-metal BiCMOS process. It has an area of 1.5 x 1.2 mm2 and it achieves a THD as low as 0.04%, with a flatband response between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.
Physiological Response of Garden Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Grown under Different Light Environment

3 Abstract: In this study, low light responses of eight garden pea (Pisum sativum) genotypes were investigated in the in terms of physiological attributes. The light treatments consisted of (i) 100% photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) measured in the open field and (ii) 25%, (iii) 50%, (iv) 75% reduction of natural PAR obtained by using nets of variable color and mesh number. Among the genotype tested in the experiment leaf area (LA) increased with the reduction of PAR in P 30 and Local white but LA reduced in rest of the genotypes. Reduction of specific leaf weight (SLW) was recorded in all the genotypes as light level was reduced. At 25% PAR genotypes IPSA 1, P 30, P 52 and Local white maintained maximum leaf weight ratio (LWR) and the increasing pattern with reducing light intensities was higher in P 30, P 52 and Local white compare to IPSA 2 and IPSA 3. The rate of photosynthesis decreased more of less with equal magnitude with the decreasing light level from 100% to 25% of PAR as measured only in IPSA3 and P30. The results lead to suggest that among the eight garden pea genotypes tested in the present experiment P30 and local white performed better under low light environment whereas IPSA3 was found as sensitive to reducing light intensity.
Savings from energy efficient windows: Current and future savings from new fenestration technologies in the residential market

Heating and cooling energy lost through windows in the residential sector (estimated at two-thirds of the energy lost through windows in all sectors) currently accounts for 3 percent (or 2.8 quads) of total US energy use, costing over $26 billion annually in energy bills. Installation of energy-efficient windows is acting to reduce the amount of energy lost per unit window area. Installation of more energy efficient windows since 1970 has resulted in an annual savings of approximately 0.6 quads. If all windows utilized existing cost effective energy conserving technologies, then residential window energy losses would amount to less than 0.8 quads, directly saving $18 billion per year in avoided energy costs. The nationwide installation of windows that are now being developed could actually turn this energy loss into a net energy gain. Considering only natural replacement of windows and new construction, appropriate fenestration policies could help realize this potential by reducing annual residential window energy losses to 2.2 quids by the year 2012, despite a growing housing stock.
AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF EXPERIENCE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE EXTERNAL AUDITOR

This study aims to know the concepts of experience auditing and the way of it measurements and its effects upon the provisions of the auditors and to identify whether the experience of the external Libyan auditor contribute to the rationalization of its provisions, decisions and improve the quality of performance or that there is no effect on the performance of these tasks, Used the field experiment was used as a main tool for data collection, we reached to the following results - That the provisions of the auditors do not vary according to years of exercising their profession - That the provisions of the auditors do not vary according to their educational level
Unusual behavior of quiet-time zonal and vertical plasma drift velocities over Jicamarca during the recent extended solar minimum of 2008

Abstract. The influence of the recent deep and prolonged solar minimum on the daytime zonal and vertical plasma drift velocities during quiet time is investigated in this work. Analyzing the data obtained from incoherent scatter radar from Jicamarca (11.95° S, 76.87° W) we observe an anomalous behavior of the zonal plasma drift during June 2008 characterized by lower than usual daytime westward drift and its early afternoon reversal to eastward. As a case study the zonal drift observed on 24 June 2008 is modeled using a realistic low-latitude ionosphere simulated by the Sheffield University Plasmasphere-Ionosphere Model-INPE (SUPIM-INPE). The results show that an anomalously low zonal wind was mainly responsible for the observed anomalous behavior in the zonal drift. A comparative study of the vertical plasma drifts obtained from magnetometer data for some periods of maximum (2000–2002) and minimum solar activity (1998, 2008, 2010) phases reveal a considerable decrease on the E-region conductivity and the dynamo electric field during 2008. However, we believe that the contribution of these characteristics to the unusual behavior of the zonal plasma drift is significantly smaller than that arising from the anomalously low zonal wind. The SUPIM-INPE result of the critical frequency of the F layer (foF2) over Jicamarca suggested a lower radiation flux than that predicted by solar irradiance model (SOLAR2000) for June 2008.
Synthesis, thermochemistry, and reactions of vicinal bis(azo)alkanes. The chemistry of .alpha.- and .beta.-azo radicals

Two vicinal bis(azo)alkanes, 8P and 8B, were prepared from acetone phenylhydrazone (APH) and acetone tert-butylhydrazone (ATBH), respectively. Thermolysis of 8P above 130 o C in the presence of thiophenol affords APH in quantitative yield, showing that the central C-C bond of 8P cleaves in preference to the usual C-N homolysis of azoalkancs. The resulting radicals 9P recombine to the C-N dimer 16P about 40 tims faster than to the more stable C-C dimer 8P. From the combustion heat of 8P, were deduce that its strain enthalpy H, is 5.5 kcal /mol, while the resonance stabilization energy (RSE) of 9P is 15.3 kcal/mol
Spatial Nonstationarity and Autoregressive Models

Until relatively recently, the emphasis of spatial analysis was on the investigation of global models and global processes. Recent research, however, has tended to explore exceptions to general processes, and techniques have been developed which have as their focus the investigation of spatial variations in local relationships. One of these techniques, known as geographically weighted regression (GWR), developed by the authors is used here to investigate spatial variations in spatial association. The particular framework in which spatial association is examined here is the spatial autoregressive model of Ord, although the technique can easily be applied to any form of spatial autocorrelation measurement. The conceptual and theoretical foundations of GWR applied to the Ord model are followed by an empirical example which uses data on owner-occupation in the housing market of Tyne and Wear in northeast England where the problems of relying on global models of spatial association are demonstrated. This empirical investigation of spatial variations in spatial autocorrelation prompts a further discussion of several issues concerning the statistical technique.
Image-Based Visual Servoing With Unknown Point Feature Correspondence

This paper presents a new image-based visual servoing approach that simultaneously solves the feature correspondence and control problem. Using a finite-time optimal control framework, feature correspondence is implicitly solved for each new image during the control selection, alleviating the need for additional image processing and feature tracking. The proposed approach demonstrates mild robustness properties and leads to acceptable or improved image feature behavior and robot trajectories compared to classical image-based visual servoing, particularly for underactuated robots. As such, preliminary experimental results using a small unmanned quadrotor are also presented.
Some Results on Certain Symmetric Circulant Matrices Research

A direct method for finding the inverse of a class of symmetric circulant matrices is given in [4]. In this paper a method of finding the Moore-Penrose inverse for a class of singular circulant matrices is presented and the spectral norm and spectral radius are calculated. Finally the spectral norm and spectral radius for symmetric circulant matrices with binomial coefficients are derived.
The Effect of Corporate Governance and Firm Performance on Stock Price: An Empirical Study on Indonesia Stock Exchange

This research aimed to determine the effect of corporate governance and firm performance on stock prices. It was shown by Corporate Governance Perception Index (CGPI), Return on Assets (ROA), Total Asset Turnover (TATO), and firm size (SIZE) in the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). Data sample used in this research was company listed on IDX during 2009-2012 and participated in CGPI of that period. Financial statement data and stock prices could be obtained from the IDX website and CGPI data were from the Indonesian Institute for Corporate Governance. Hypothesis test used in this research was a multiple linear regression analysis. As a result, the application of corporate governance and ROA give positive but insignificant effect on stock prices. Meanwhile, TATO and SIZE have a positive and significant effect on stock prices. Both variables of corporate governance and firm performance influence stock prices significantly.
Exploiting the Novel Repressed Transactivator Assay to Identify Protein Peptide Inhibitors of the Myc Oncoprotein

Abstract : Fundamental research clearly shows that the product of the c-myc oncogene is often expressed at elevated levels in a large number of breast cancers and is associated with poor prognosis, high-risk disease (for further detail, see our recent review (3). Indeed, Myc drives cell proliferation and can initiate as well as contribute to tumor development, as confirmed by both in vitro and in vivo models of breast cancer. The highly conserved regions of the Myc protein are thought to participate in protein:protein interactions. Importantly, blocking these sites can effectively inhibit Myc function and block breast carcinoma cell growth. Thus, Myc is a valid target for the development of novel therapeutics to inhibit mammary cells of malignant transformations in a specific and sensitive manner. This is the primary goal of this proposal. To achieve our goal, we are using the novel Repressed Transactivator (RTA) assay developed in collaboration with our lab (1). The RTA is an in vivo functional assay that will enable Myc-binding proteins and inhibitors of Myc:protein interactions to be identified and characterized. This experimental tool is conceptually similar to the conventional "two-hybrid" technology but offers significant improvement. First, the RTA allows trans activator bait proteins like Myc, to be used in a two-hybrid approach to clone novel interactors. Second, the ability of the RTA to identify inhibitors of a given protein:protein interaction makes it particularly well suited for high throughput screening of protein:protein interactions and the identification of inhibitor compounds.
Insomnia in the elderly—Is an evidence-based approach possible?

Insomnia is both a frequent complaint that the elderly bring to the family practitioner and a source of discomfort to that practitioner. A commonly cited figure is that up to 42% of elderly patients (in this case in four American locations) report difficulty with falling asleep or staying asleep. This survey also identified a number of risk factors for incident insomnia in this age group. These risk factors include chronic disease, depressed mood, physical disability, poor perceived health and widowhood. The authors concluded that “[b]ecause the vast majority of incident cases of insomnia were among persons with one or more of these risk factors, these data do not support a model of incident insomnia caused by the aging process per se”. There is no doubt that the vast majority of practitioners would be able to describe the features of the condition with accuracy, as well as describe an appropriate theoretical approach to its management. What is also certain is that many would be able to describe discordance between their own perceptions about the condition and its management and those of their patients, particularly the elderly. This is best summed up by a cross-sectional study conducted in Canada, in which questionnaires were given to 93 patients over the age of 60 years (all using benzodiazepines for insomnia) and 25 medical practitioners. The main outcome was related to the perception of benefit and risk, scored on Likert scales of 1 (least) to 5 (most). The discordance noted by the authors was striking: patient perceptions of the benefits of benzodiazepines exceeded those of the medical practitioners (mean scores of 3.85 vs. 2.84, difference 1.00 (95% confidence interval 0.69-1.32), p < 0.001), but the reverse was shown in relation to perceived risk (mean scores of 2.21 vs. 3.63, difference 1.42 (95% CI 1.07-1.77), p < 0.001). In short, patients perceive hypnotics to be of greater benefit than risk, whereas medical practitioners hold the reverse to be true. The full extent of the use of hypnotics by elderly patients in South Africa is not known. Two cross-sectional surveys using a standard set of medicines considered potentially inappropriate in the elderly have shown some differences between private and public sector settings. A small number (219) of a large sample (48 416) of elderly patients was
Measurement of $ R _ b $ and $ B _ r ( b \ to l \ nu X ) $ at LEP using double-tag methods

We present a combined measurement of Rb = Γ(Z → bb̄)/Γ(Z → hadrons) and the semileptonic branching ratio of b quarks in Z decays, Br(b → lνX), using double-tag methods. Two analyses are performed on one million hadronic Z decays collected in 1994 and 1995. The first analysis exploits the capabilities of the silicon microvertex detector. The tagging of b-events is based on the large impact parameter of tracks from weak b-decays with respect to the ee collision point. In the second analysis, a high-pt lepton tag is used to enhance the b-component in the sample and its momentum spectrum is used to constrain the model dependent uncertainties in the semileptonic b-decay. The analyses are combined in order to provide precise determinations of Rb and Br(b → lνX): Rb = 0.2174 ± 0.0015 (stat.) ± 0.0028 (sys.); Br(b → lνX) = (10.16 ± 0.13 (stat.) ± 0.30 (sys.))%. Submitted to European Physics Journal
Optimum Designof Reinforced Concrete Multi-Story Multi-Span Frame Structures under Static Loads

The construction economy is one of the major goals of engineers and only an experienced engineer can make an economical design after several trial efforts. Whereas, the optimum design of structures can be found by using metaheuristic methods. Especially, the optimum design of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is challenging since two materials with different price and behavior are used. In that case, the optimization problem is highly non-linear and the developed methods employing harmony search (HS) algorithm is effective to solve the problem in several random stages. As the numerical example, the method was tested for two-story two-span RC frames. The results show that the metaheuristic based methodology is feasible.