Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Phonological deficit in developmental dyslexia:: Is there a suprasegmental component?

Adult dyslexics were tested on a range of tasks which were presented in two closely matched versions: a segmental version and a suprasegmental version. The tasks targeted phonological contrasts on one hand and the metalinguistic ability to manipulate phonological units on the other hand. The dyslexic group showed a deficit in suprasegmentals as well as segmentals but only when the tasks involved manipulation. We found no evidence that the representations of suprasegmental contrasts are impaired in the dyslexic participants.
IN VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF CUBAN ENDEMIC VARIETIES OF Erythroxylum alaternifolium A. Rich. ISOLATION OF TWO FLAVONOL GLYCOSIDES

The total antioxidant capacity from leaves of three Cuban endemic varieties of Erythroxylum alaternifolium was measured using three techniques: 2,2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH∙), 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS∙+) and Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). The highest values of antioxidant capacity and total phenols were measured in polar n-butyl alcohol extracts. Among the varieties of E. alaternifolium assayed, the var. parvifolium showed the strongest antioxidant capacity: ABTS (6.49 ± 0.05 mg TE/g dw); DPPH (11.16 ± 0.01 mg TE/g dw) and ORAC (35.1 ± 1.5 mg TE/g dw). Additionally, n-butyl alcohol extract of E. alaternifolium var. parvifolium also showed the highest content in phenolics with 284.2 ± 7.3 mg CAE/g dw and in flavonols with skeleton quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin with 471 µg/g dw. Moreover, two flavonol glycosides: ombuin-3- O-rutinoside and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside were isolated for the first time from n-butyl alcohol extract of E. alaternifolium var. alaternifolium.
Mediterranean Conference on Information Systems ( MCIS ) 2011 TOWARDS MEASURING CROWDSOURCING SUCCESS : AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON EFFECTS OF EXTERNAL FACTORS IN ONLINE IDEA CONTEST

Crowdsourcing campaigns in general and online idea contests in particular have reached popularity in practice and research. Based on the open innovation paradigm, idea marketplace providers like InnoCentive broker ideas between a potentially large-scaled crowd of solvers and seeking firms by hosting idea contests in the web. So far, research has mainly focused on the setup of idea marketplaces, design patterns to define idea contests or motivation factors to spur solvers. Mostly, extrinsic incentives, especially rewards for best ideas, are used to guarantee high amounts and good quality of ideas. In contrast to the predominant qualitative and conceptional research on online idea contests, we attempt an empirical study. We derive external factors, like rewards, contest-duration or market-maturity, to construct a model depicting effects of these factors on the outcome of online idea contests. We use a dataset from Atizo, containing over 25’000 submitted ideas and over 83’000 ratings to evaluate validity of our model. Our findings show that current design elements of online contest may not contribute to the commonly expected effects. One interesting aspect is that using rewards to maximize quality and quantity of ideas creates a conflict of goals as rewards can have perverse effects on the outcome.
Aspergillus bombycis, a new aflatoxigenic species and genetic variation in its sibling species, A. nomius

Abstract A new aflatoxigenic species of Aspergillus, A. bombycis, was discovered during isolation of fungi from insect frass collected in silkworm rearing houses in Japan. The new species resembles A. flavus, but produces B and G aflatoxins. It is distinguished from A. flavus and A. nomius by differences in growth rates at 37 and 42 C, from A. nomius by roughness of the stipe, and from both of these species by differences in the nucleotide sequences in the beta-tubulin, calmodulin, norsolorinic acid reductase, ITS, and lsu-rDNA genes. Aspergillus bombycis is known from nine isolates, eight collected in silkworm-rearing houses in Japan and one collected in a silk-worm rearing house in Indonesia. Phylogenetic analysis of the DNA sequences shows that A. bombycis is a phylogenetically distinct species which is most closely related to A. nomius and which belongs in Aspergillus section Flavi. Analysis by partition homogeneity did not reveal evidence of genetic recombination in A. bombycis, but in A. nomius the patterns of polymorphisms in different genes strongly suggest cryptic genetic recombination.
CAMERA CALIBRATION IN 3D MODELLING FOR UAV APPLICATION

In recent times, small types of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been receiving attention in areas such as 3D modelling, maintenance engineering, and personal interest (hobby) usage. However, the payload a small type of UAV is able to carry is limited. Given these circumstances, small consumer grade digital cameras are often used for UAV photogrammetry with small types of UAV. Though, digital photogrammetry using the consumer grade cameras is enormously expected in various application fields such as UAV photogrammetry. There is a large body of literature on camera calibration. However, the lens distortion of small consumer grade digital cameras is still an issue from the viewpoint of accuracy aspect. The authors have been investigating camera calibration using various cameras. However, small consumer grade digital cameras, which is called as entry-cameras, have an accuracy degradation problem. The issue was addressed by conducting calibration tests using two kinds of consumer grade digital cameras, each with a resolution of 12 mega pixels. This paper presents the results of an investigation into the cause of accuracy degradation in digital photogrammetry using entry-cameras.
Thermoregulation in reindeer

Thermoregulation was studied in Finnish reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L) on captive and herded individuals during 1977-85. Newborn calves maintained a high rectal temperature (Tre) (+39 to +41°C) even at —23°C by increasing heat production 5- to 6-fold through non-shivering thermogenesis, stimulated by cold-induced noradrenaline (NA). Plasma NA and thyroxine (T4) were high (18 ng/ml and 459 nmol/1) in neonatal reindeer. Sensitivity to exogenous NA was lost during the first 3-4 weeks of life. At +20°C and above, calves increased Tre (ca 1°C), oxygen consumption and heart rate, thereby showing poor heat tolerance. Thermal conductance was low in a cold environment, but rose sharply as ambient temperature (Ta) increased above + 10°C. The Tre of adults (+ 38 to +39°C) was independent of Ta (—28 to +15°C). Coarse (hollow) hair density and length in adults averaged 2000/cm2 and 12 mm on the legs, 1000/cm3 and 30 mm on the abdomen and 1700/cm2 and 30 mm on the back (calves 3200/cm2, 10 mm), respectively. The dependence of skin temperature on the Ta was linear in excised fur samples, but complex in living animals being strongest in the legs. Serum adrenaline correlated with the weight, age and total lipids. Serum NA and dopamine-fi-hydroxylase were highest in spring and decreased by autumn. Serum T4 was highest in summer and lowest in spring.
USE OF THE INTERNET FOR INVESTOR RELATIONS BY PUBLIC LISTED COMPANIES

With the increasing emphasis on developing economies and the use of the internet for corporate relationship building, this study aims to investigate the usage of internet by listed companies in the ready-made garment industry in Bangladesh. The study will also include comparison of the contents of investor relationships with empirical evidence from around the world. The sample size contains 105 firms listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange. Employing statistical analysis for measuring investor relations based on available contents disclosed in firms’ website for investor information, this study found that the 105 firms disclose contents related to investors on their websites but fall short of the standard of other countries with only the company profile as the most prominent disclosure. Study result reports that companies in Bangladesh are still behind compared to developed economies in terms of using internet for investor relations. The study also recommends the Dhaka Stock Exchange, Bangladesh Garments Manufacturing and Export Association (BGMEA) and other indigenous regulatory bodies encourage firms to disclose more investor related information.
An elevational trend of body size variation in a cold-climate agamid lizard, Phrynocephalus theobaldi

The pattern that many ectotherms have smaller body sizes in cold environments follows the converse to Bergmann's rule and is most frequently found in lizards. Allen's rule predicts animals from warm climates usually have longer tails and limbs, while these traits tend to be shorter in individuals from cold climates. We examined body size variation in an endemic Chinese lizard Phrynocephalus theobaldi along a broad elevational gradient (3,600-5,000 m on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau). Female body size showed a U-shaped cline, decreasing with increased elevation within the range 3,600-4,200 m, but increasing at eleva- tions > 4200 m. Male body size continued to increase with increasing elevations. Both sexes showed an increased pattern of ex- tremity length with elevation that does not conform to Allen's rule. Limb length and tail length increased along the elevational gradients. In terms of color pattern, an abdominal black speckled area appears at elevations >4,200 m. This trait increases in size with increased elevation. Unlike most studies, our results indicated that annual sunshine hours corresponding to the activity pe- riod of the lizards could play an important role on the positive body size cline in environments at very high elevations > 4200 m (Current Zoology 61 (3): 444-453, 2015). Keywords Allen's rule, Bergmann's rule, Elevation, Thermal constraint, Tibetan Plateau, Toad-headed Agama Understanding body size variation in a spatial con- text can offer key insights into the process of evolution. Bergmann's Rule attempts to explain variation in body size while Allen's Rule aims to explain body shape, but their applicability to ectotherms is debatable. The for- mer states that animals living in cold climates tend to be
EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN ANTIMICROBIAL AIR FILTER TO AVOID PORCINE REPRODUCTIVE AND RESPIRATORY SYNDROME VIRUS (PRRSV) AEROSOL TRANSMISSION, AFTER 16 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE TO A COMMERCIAL SWINE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Noveko's antimicrobial filter after 16 months of exposure to commercial swine production environmental conditions. An adaptation of the experimental design and scale model of a commercial swine finisher was used for this experiment. The facilities consisted of 2 chambers (1.3 m x 1.3 m x 1.8 m) connected by a duct (0.65 m x 0.65 m x 1.3 m) containing the filters. A 5 kg PRRSV naive pig was placed in reception chamber for a period of 6 hours after the aerosolization of PRRSV. Blood samples from pigs and swabs collected in the reception chamber before and after aerosolization were tested for the presence of PRRSV RNA and only blood samples were tested for PRRSV antibodies by IDEXX 2XR ELISA. The results of this study showed that there were no infected pigs (0 positive of 9 tested pigs) and no positive swabs. Therefore, the results of this study indicate that the technology used to integrate the antimicrobial agent into the filter fibers allows the filter combination to endure the actions of extreme weather and commercial swine production for at least 16 months and maintains its effectiveness to avoid airborne transmission of PRRSV.
Kafka and legal critique

ABSTRACT Kafka’s preoccupation with the law and legal institutions within his fictional writings has always been a particularly fecund source of ideas for legal and political philosophy. Notwithstanding the justifiable emphasis on the historical and biographical situation of Kafka’s literary texts in jurisprudential commentary, those texts may also serve a valuable, autonomous function as a form of legal critique that supplements the doctrinal approaches of conventional legal theory. With this context in mind, the article presents a critical reading of three dominant juridical themes in Kafka’s fiction: the relationship between slander and guilt; the significance of judgement over justice in the legal process; and the association of necessity and immanence in the constitution of the legal subject. It seeks to demonstrate the specific contributions to legal critique of the rhetorical, structural and aesthetic elements of Kafka’s fictional treatment of law and legal authority.
Using SCAN to Analyze the Schedulability of a Real-Time Application

Recent advantages in real-time scheduling theory have provided a rigorous set of analytical methods for guaranteeing a priori that real-time software will meet its timing requirements (schedulability analysis methods). In this paper, the architecture, the usage and the underlying methodology of an interactive SChedulability ANalysis tool (SCAN) are presented. The tool supports design-oriented schedulability analysis and incorporates an extensive set of analytical algorithms. The key characteristic of the tool is the underlying practical framework, which permits the systematic representation and analysis of a real-time application, as well as the selection of a feasible configuration that can meet all timing requirements. In addition, SCAN can cooperate with a software monitor, which allows a better characterization of the application actual timing parameters.
The Satisfaction of Residents on Community Facilities in Shah Alam, Malaysia

Residents in urban areas are well provided with available facilities to choose from; may that be for education, grocery shopping, eating, recreation, praying, medical services and others. Residents can choose any of these facilities for their needs and wants. There is however some variance in the choice of facilities for different types of housing areas. The availability of facilities has to some degree affect the satisfaction of residents towards their housing environment. This paper revolves around the findings of a research relating to the level of satisfaction of residents in urban low cost flats towards the availability and accessibility of facilities in two cities. There are a total of eight locations of low cost flats; five of which are located in the city of Shah Alam and three locations in the city of Klang. Combinations of qualitative and quantitative methods were used to approach this study. Survey data were analysed through the SPSS program and also by the Grounded Theory Analysis. The findings show that the factors of availability and accessibility of facilities play an important role in the level of satisfaction of these residents. Findings also show that that the respondents in Shah Alam are more satisfied compared to those in Klang towards the community facilities domain in their housing area. In general, it can be concluded that residents living in Shah Alam has a higher level of well-being than in Klang where community facilities domain is concerned.
Image quality of two full field digital mammography using a female breast phantom

Digital mammography has been progressively introduced in screening centers and the concern is to achieve an image of diagnostic value which would be able to detect early changes in the breast tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the image quality of mammograms using quantitative and qualitative methods of two FFDM systems with variations in breast thickness and anode/filter combination. This study was done from January to April 2008 with two FFDM systems; Siemens Mammomat NovationDR at Diagnostic Imaging Department, Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hologic Lorad Selenia at Breast Clinic, National Cancer Society. A CIRS012A tissue equivalent breast phantom (4, 5 and 6 cm) thickness was used to obtain images in the craniocaudal plane with 26-32 kVp and a combination of molybdenum/ molybdenum (Mo/Mo) and molybdenum/rhodium (Mo/Rh) anode/filter. For the qualitative evaluation, two independent radiologist with a minimum of five years experience was used to score the images. Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test showed that there are no significant differences (p > 0.05) in image quality between both the FFDM systems. Kappa analysis had a poor agreement between the scores given by the two radiologists. The quantitative analysis using Mann-Whitney test showed that there are significant differences (p < 0.05) between the SNR values of both FFDM systems. Although the qualitative evaluation was similar, the study showed that Lorad Selenia had a significantly superior SNR value, hence would be a better tool to detect early changes in the breast tissue. This study also demonstrated that a lower kVp is more suitable with molybdenum filter and as the breast thickness is increased rhodium filter with higher kVp displayed better quality images.
BIM models generation from 2D CAD drawings and 3D scans: an analysis of challenges and opportunities for AEC practitioners

Despite the recent and significant developments of BIM tools, available evidence reveals that current trends in BIM are tailored towards the design and construction phases of new projects, while most of the already existing projects, traditionally designed through CAD approaches, could hugely benefit from BIM integration. Automatic capture and conversion of CAD data into BIM models has remained a challenge. So far basic approaches ensuring either functional correctness or visual accuracy were advocated, but with limited success. In this paper, we propose a case study approach to examine the challenges and potential solutions of automatic BIM data capture and reconstruction of an existing skyscraper in Qatar – for which the construction phase has been achieved through traditional CAD design, using available as-built 2D CAD drawings and emerging data capture techniques such as 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry. The research targets BIM reconstruction for emergency preparedness and also seeks to address the strengths and limitations of available BIM reconstruction solutions of existing structures. Finally, we elaborate on future work directions that aim to speed-up the BIM generation process, as well as to add some automation capabilities to it.
SEROLOGICAL AND RT-PCR ASSAYS FOR DETECTION OF AVIAN INFLUENZA OF DOMESTIC PIGEONS IN KAVAR AREA (FARS PROVINCE, IRAN)

Summary Mohammadi, A. , M. Masoudian, Y. Nemati & S. Seifi, 2010. Serological and RT-PCR assays for detection of avian influenza of domestic pigeons in Kavar area (Fars province, Iran) Bulg. J. Vet. Med. , 13 , No 2, 117 −121. Avian influenza (AI) is one of the most common and disastrous diseases in industrial poultry farms of Fars province, Iran. Based on the relatively high prevalence of the disease in Kavar area, 50 domestic pigeons were selected for serological analysis and virus shedding into the area. Blood and faecal samples were collected and evaluated using HI and RT-PCR methods respectively. The results showed that 17 serum samples (34%) had antibody titres ≥ 2 –5 against the H9N2 AI virus, but the virus genome was not detected in any of faecal samples. Although the results demonstrated that a considerable percentage of domestic pigeons dwelling the Kavar area were seropositive for AIV, no evidence was provided for transmission of the virus from domestic pigeons to the poultry farms of Kavar.
Sensory Goals and Control Mechanisms for Phonemic Articulations

An overview of speech production is described in which the goals of phonemic speech movements are implemented in auditory and somatosensory domains and the movements are controlled by a combination of feedback and feedforward mechanisms. Findings of motor-equivalent trading relations in producing /u/ and /r/, cross-speaker relations between vowel and consonant production and perception, and speakers’ use of a “saturation effect” in producing /s/ support the idea that the goals are in sensory domains. Results of production experiments in which auditory feedback was modified and interrupted provide insight into the nature of feedback and feedforward control mechanisms. The findings are all compatible with the DIVA model of speech motor planning [3], which makes it possible to quantify relations among phonemic specifications of utterances, brain activity, articulatory movements and the speech sound output.
INFLUENCE OF INTERLEUKIN-6 (-174 G/C) SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISM ON SERUM IL-6 LEVELS IN PREMATURE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

ABSTRACT:Objectives: Premature Coronary Artery Disease (PCAD) has taken the form of an epidemic in Pakistan and its incidence in young individuals is on the rise. The objective was to evaluate role of Interleukin-6 (-174 G/C) gene promoter polymorphism and the serum level of (IL-6) in the identification of PCAD. Methodology: The case-control study carried out at Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from July, 2014 to Jan, 2015 in collaboration with University College London, UK. 150 patients 70% stenosis, in at least one coronary vessel on angiography, were labeled as cases. While 150 subjects who were angio-negative for disease were taken as controls. Genotyping was performed using Taqman Assay while serum IL-6 was measured using Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: Total 300 subjects participated in the study. Mean ± SD age of PCAD patients was 40 ± 3.80 while in controls it was 38 ± 7.8 yrs. Serum IL-6 levels were significantly high in PCAD patients (p<0.01). In IL-6 -174 (G/C) polymorphism homozygous CC was significantly associated with occurrence of PCAD. Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in CC genotype subjects when compared to GC and GG (p<0.05). The serum IL-6 levels significantly correlated with the atherosclerotic burden (p<0.05). Sensitivity-specificity of IL-6 at cut off value of 3.7 ng/dl was 77% and 81% respectively.Conclusion: IL-6 has significant diagnostic potential for PCAD with moderately high sensitivity and specificity. IL-6 (-174 G/C) polymorphism CC genotype can aid in the risk prediction of PCAD.Keywords: Gene promoter polymorphism; Interleukin-6; Premature Coronary Artery Disease; Risk prediction;
The Truth about Designing: Conclusions from the Video Assisted Learning in Design (VALiD) Project

Prescriptive models of design often consider designing to be an objective process. We show, in a study requiring two groups of student designers to produce a 10 minute film from their riginal two and half hour design process, how this is far from the truth. Using qualitative and quantitative analysis we suggest that accounts of designing, while focusing on key events, are determined by how those events fit (or can be made to fit) a particular story narrative. It follows, then, that the prescriptive model is simply one story about designing. We describe the VALiD methodology, a tool for detailed reflection on designing, and speculate that it could be useful in professional design contexts.
Loughborough University Institutional Repository Predictive control for general nonlinear systems using approximation

This paper addresses a tracking problem for general nonlinear systems using model predictive control (MPC). After approximating the tracking error in the receding horizon by its Taylor series expansion to any specified order, an analytic solution to the MPC is developed and a closed-form nonlinear predictive controller is presented. Different from other nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC), there is a built-in integral action in the developed scheme and the implementation issues are discussed. Further more, it is pointed out that the proposed NMPC derived using approximation can stablise the original nonlinear systems if certain condition, which can be met by properly choosing predictive times and the order for Taylor expansion, is satisfied. Simulation demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed NMPC.