Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consumer perceptions and preferences on solid wood, wood-based panels, and composites: a repertory grid study

Knowledge about consumer perception and preferences on solid wood, wood-based panels, and wood-based composites is important for product development and marketing. The aim of this study was to identify attributes and associations that people use to describe different types of wood materials and to explore how they relate to preferences. The study involved nine samples that were evaluated with the Kelly's repertory grid technique and content analysis. Based on respondents' answers. 19 core categories reflecting sample attributes were extracted. General preferences for each sample were also recorded. Principal component analysis generated two factors describing 1) naturalness, wood-likeness, softness, unprocessed origin, living, pleasant, and high value; and 2) solid and homogeneous impression. A third, preliminary factor included categories describing irregular pattern,sleekness, and smoothness. The wood samples were most liked, whereas composites and panels were not appreciated. Preferred core categories were naturalness, wood-likeness, smoothness, living impression, and value. The least liked core categories were processed, hard, and high weigh. The implications of the results for product development and marketing are discussed.
LIFESTYLE, LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SELF-EFFI CACY PERCEPTION OF ADOLESCENTS

The aim of this study was to investigate the lifest yle, level of physical activity and self-efficacy p erception of adolescents. 316 students of Federal Technological Education Centers at Santa Catarina have participat ed of this study. Three instruments were used. It was observed that boys (68.2%) showed be more active than girls (44.0%; p=0,001). Boys have shown superior self-efficacy th an girls (p=0,004); however, actives boys and girls have perceived similar levels of self-efficacy. Active a dolescents have shown better lifestyle indicators t han sedentary ones (boys: p=0,006 and girls: p=0,006). Adolescents wit h high self-efficacy have shown better lifestyle th an those with small self-efficacy (p=0,002). Having observed that ac ive adolescents have better lifestyle, we may s uggest that this behavior allied with a better self-efficacy percept ion are important in promoting of healthy life habi ts.
Title Beyond long-term averages : making sense of a rapidly changingworld

Biological responses to climate change are typically communicated in generalized terms such as poleward and altitudinal range shifts, but adaptation efforts relevant to management decisions often require forecasts that incorporate the interaction of multiple climatic and nonclimatic stressors at far smaller spatiotemporal scales. We argue that the desire for generalizations has, ironically, contributed to the frequent conflation of weather with climate, even within the scientific community. As a result, current predictions of ecological responses to climate change, and the design of experiments to understand underlying mechanisms, are too often based on broad-scale trends and averages that at a proximate level may have very little to do with the vulnerability of organisms and ecosystems. The creation of biologically relevant metrics of environmental change that incorporate the physical mechanisms by which climate trains patterns of weather, coupled with knowledge of how organisms and ecosystems respond to these changes, can offer insight into which aspects of climate change may be most important to monitor and predict. This approach also has the potential to enhance our ability to communicate impacts of climate change to nonscientists and especially to stakeholders attempting to enact climate change adaptation policies.
Analysis Of Crm Perspectives Toward Successful Implementation Model

Regarding extensive competitive environment in any business, organizations must change their view to customers as the main assets in their businesses. So, they have to develop new strategies to retain profitable and loyal customers. In the recent years, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) has been emerged from Marketing and Information Technology as the most efficient tool to make customers loyal by improving relationship between organizations and their customers. For organizations, it is vital that they realize CRM nature, definition, real objectives and different perspectives to implement CRM successfully, and the organizations which do not pay attention to CRM concepts will not be success to make strong and long-term relations with their customers. In this paper, it is tried to analyze CRM contents from different perspectives, propose a unified definition and develop a model to implement successful CRM with the consideration of different perspectives. (Reza Hosseini. Analysis Of Crm Perspectives Toward Successful Implementation Model. Life Sci J 2013;10(2):954-962) (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com . 134
Simulation of Asian options delta using a quadratic congruential pseudo-random numbers generator

In this paper, we use the Monte Carlo simulation (MC) to calculate delta of an Asian option. Where delta measures the rate of change of option value (V) with respect to changes in the underlying asset’s price (S): ∆ = ∂V ∂S . 4618 A. Moussi et al. Moreover, we use the quadratic congruential pseudorandom numbers generator, which have the following form: Xn+1 = (aX 2 n + bXn + c) mod m, in order to evaluate its performance. We also compare results with two other chosen congruential generators.
przełyku ? How to diagnose and treat bile reflux into the stomach and esophagus ?

Duodeno-gastric reflux may be the cause of abdominal pain and biliary vomiting in patients after distal partial gastrectomy or cholecystectomy. In such cases the optimal treatment is duodenal switch operation with Roux-en-Y gastro-jejunal anastomosis. In patients with intact gastro-intestinal tract the diagnosis of bile reflux should be established very carefully and preferably in cases with dyspeptic symptoms accompanied by endoscopically detected biliary gastritis with foveolar hyperplasia on microscopic examination. Bile in the presence of acid may damage gastric mucosa, which subsequently heals with the development of intestinal metaplasia. Duodeno-gastro-esophageal reflux is a more important problem than duodeno-gastric reflux. Bile acids stimulate esophageal squamous epithelium to produce inflammatory mediators, cause oxidative stress and DNA damage. They also induce changes in gene expression pattern which may play a role in the development of Barrett’s metaplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma. There is
Fast Fuzzy C-Means Algorithm Incorporating Convex Combination of Bilateral Filter with Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization

Fast Generalized Fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm (FGFCM) and its variants are effective methods for image clustering. Even though the incorporation of local spatial information to the objective function reduces their sensitivity to noise to some extent, they are still lack behind in suppressing the effect of noise and outliers on the edges and tiny areas of input image. This article proposes an algorithm to mitigate the disadvantage of FGFCM and its variants and enhances the performance of clustering. The experiments on the synthetic and real images are presented, to exhibit the improvements in the image clustering due to the proposed algorithm.
Control of Movement The modulation of two motor behaviors by persistent sodium currents in Xenopus laevis tadpoles

Svensson E, Jeffreys H, Li WC. The modulation of two motor behaviors by persistent sodium currents in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. J Neurophysiol 118: 121–130, 2017. First published March 22, 2017; doi:10.1152/jn.00755. 2016. —Persistent sodium currents (INaP) are common in neuronal circuitries and have been implicated in several diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and epilepsy. However, the role of INaP in the regulation of specific behaviors is still poorly understood. In this study we have characterized INaP and investigated its role in the swimming and struggling behavior of Xenopus tadpoles. INaP was identified in three groups of neurons, namely, sensory Rohon-Beard neurons (RB neurons), descending interneurons (dINs), and non-dINs (neurons rhythmically active in swimming). All groups of neurons expressed INaP, but the currents differed in decay time constants, amplitudes, and the membrane potential at which INaP peaked. Low concentrations (1 M) of the INaP blocker riluzole blocked INaP ~30% and decreased the excitability of the three neuron groups without affecting spike amplitudes or cellular input resistances. Riluzole reduced the number of rebound spikes in dINs and depressed repetitive firing in RB neurons and non-dINs. At the behavior level, riluzole at 1 M shortened fictive swimming episodes. It also reduced the number of action potentials neurons fired on each struggling cycle. The results show that INaP may play important modulatory roles in motor behaviors.
Effects of ethanolic extracts of Garcinia kola seeds on growth and haematology of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) broodstock.

A 56 day study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of dietary ethanolic extracts of Garcinia kola (Bitter kola) in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus broodstock on growth performance and basic haematological indices. Catfish broodstock (mean weight, 245.20 – 255.00 g) were randomly distributed into concrete tanks (2 x 2 x 1.2 m) at 10 fish/tank in triplicate treatments. 5 diets (40% crude protein) containing varying levels of ethanolic extracts of G. kola at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg diets were prepared (representing diets 1 - 5, respectively) and fed to mixed sex C. gariepinus brodstock twice daily (0900 - 0930 h and 1700 - 1730 h) for 56 days to evaluate the effects on growth parameters, feed utilization and haematological parameters. There were significant variations (p > 0.05) in the growth parameters and food conversion ratio. Fish fed 1.0 g/kg diets of ethanolic extracts of G. kola had the best weight gain than fish fed ethanolic extracts of G. kola seeds of 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 2.0 g/kg feed with significant differences (P < 0.05) among the treatments. Similarly the specific growth rate (SGR) was higher in fish fed 1.0 g/kg diet of ethanolic extracts of G. kola seeds with significant different found between the treatments, the weight gain increased as the inclusion levels of ethanolic extracts of G. kola seeds in the diets increased up to 1.0 g/kg diets and decreased as the inclusion levels increased up to 2.0 g/kg feed. This support the probiotic effects of G kola seeds as growth promoter, haematological parameters such as pack cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and red blood cells (RBC) for fish fed on diets D2 to D5 were not significantly different from that of the control (D1). However there was a significant (P < 0.05) proliferation of the white blood cells (WBC) in this study. This probably explains the antimicrobial effect of ethanolic extracts of G. kola seeds in view of the major role that the white blood cells assume in the immunity defence mechanism of the body in both man and animals. Key words: Garcinia kola, growth, haematology, Clarias gariepinus.
Improvements and Generalizations of Stochastic Knapsack and Multi-Armed Bandit Approximation Algorithms: Full Version

We study the multi-armed bandit problem with arms which are Markov chains with rewards. In the finite-horizon setting, the celebrated Gittins indices do not apply, and the exact solution is intractable. We provide approximation algorithms for a more general model which includes Markov decision processes and non-unit transition times. When preemption is allowed, we provide a (1/2-eps)-approximation, along with an example showing this is tight. When preemption isn't allowed, we provide a 1/12-approximation, which improves to a 4/27-approximation when transition times are unity. Our model encompasses the Markovian Bandits model of Gupta et al, the Stochastic Knapsack model of Dean, Goemans, and Vondrak, and the Budgeted Learning model of Guha and Munagala, and our algorithms improve existing results in all three areas. In our analysis, we encounter and overcome to our knowledge a novel obstacle - an algorithm that provably exists via polyhedral arguments, but cannot be found in polynomial time.
Voluntary turnover and job performance: Curvilinearity and the moderating influences of salary growth and promotions.

The relationship between job performance and voluntary employee turnover was investigated for 5,143 exempt employees in a single firm. As hypothesized, support was found for E. F. Jackofsky's (1984) curvilinear hypothesis, as turnover was higher for low and high performers than it was for average performers. Two potential moderators of the curvilinearity were examined in an attempt to explain conflicting results in the performance-turnover literature. As predicted, low salary growth and high promotions each produced a more pronounced curvilinear performance-turnover relationship. Most notably, salary growth effects on turnover were greatest for high performers, with high salary growth predicting rather low turnover for these employees, whereas low salary growth predicted extremely high turnover. Additionally, once salary growth was controlled, promotions positively predicted turnover, with poor performer turnover most strongly affected.
Characterization, ribotyping and capsular PCR typing of Pasteurella multocida isolated from Iranian sheep and goats

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Received 26 April 2016 Accepted 19 May 2016 Available online 1 June 2016 Pasteurella multocida is considered to be an important cause of ovine pneumonia and results causes considerable economic losses in Iran. Ribotyping PCR (RiboPCR) was used for investigating the diversity of ovine and caprine P.multocida. A total of 120 swab tonsil and nasal samples were obtained from sheep and goats. They were analyzed by biochemical tests and Ribo-PCR 16S-23S ribosomal RNA genes. Twenty samples representing Pasteurella phenotypes by Entero rapid kit and 17 out of 20 isolates were identified as P.multocida. Capsular type A was dominant among the isolates and was variable than serogroup D. Nine isolates including JF694004.1 and 8 isolates including JF681973.1 showed 100% and 94% similarity, respectively. Two minor cluster I and II was obtained with no significant diversity among the isolates. Cluster II was divided in four sub cluster including IIa, IIb, IIc and IId. Molecular approaches such as Ribo-PCR are necessary for determining and characterizing the diversity of P. multocida and understanding their interactions with host. The study has been the sensitive levels of Ribo-PCR in epidemiological studies of pasteurellosis, however, correlation among diversity of isolates and host origin is not fully understood.
COMPENSATION FOR CHANGING BEAM PATTERN AND RESIDUAL TVG EFFECTS WITH SONAR ALTITUDE VARIATION FOR SIDESCAN MOSAICING AND CLASSIFICATION

Sidescan sonar images characteristically display across-track intensity variations resulting from the transducers' beam pattern. Along-track these changes are complicated by intensity variations introduced by changing sonar altitude. The effects are particularly apparent in low altitude surveys displaying strong sidelobe returns from regions closest to the transducers. The fall off in intensity with range for main lobe returns is also more noticeable in these missions. A time-varying gain (TVG) is usually applied to sonar signals to compensate for this range-dependent effect, but cannot adequately compensate for beam pattern or altitude variations. In this paper methods are presented for correction of beam pattern and residual TVG effects in the presence of altitude change. Estimation of correction factors is performed directly from the data. It is preferable to seek an estimate for these factors over a seabed region with relatively even, small-scale texture, a few hundred lines of data being sufficient. The approach to the beam pattern problem uses time-scaled representations of each line of data to account for geometrical variations introduced by altitude change. The applied TVG function is assumed to be dominant towards the end of each line of recorded data and can usually be approximated using a smooth function. Multiplicative correction factors are calculated for the TVG function and scaled beam pattern. These are applied to the sonar data to produce a representation of the ensonified seafloor topography with intensities adjusted relative to some user defined datum point.
Do Equity Analysts Learn from Their Colleagues? Evidence Using an Information Network Centrality Measure

We examine how peer learning affects analyst forecast outcomes using network theory. We construct a measure of information network centrality among analysts within a brokerage using the degree of sector overlaps in their coverage portfolios. We find that analysts with higher centrality scores produce more accurate forecast estimates, exhibit less pronounced herding behavior, and experience stronger market reactions to their forecast revisions. Consistent with a peer-learning channel, high centrality analysts are also more likely to incorporate information from their colleagues' recent forecast errors into their forecast revisions. Overall, our evidence suggests that information flow within a brokerage is an important information acquisition channel for financial analysts.
Julia Model To Test Dengue Vaccines Infection : Implications for a New Mouse and Dendritic Cells Control Dengue Virus Type I Interferon Signals in Macrophages

Dengue virus (DENV) infects an estimated 400 million people every year, causing prolonged morbidity and sometimes mortality. Development of an effective vaccine has been hampered by the lack of appropriate small animal models; mice are naturally not susceptible to DENV and only become infected if highly immunocompromised. Mouse models lacking both type I and type II interferon (IFN) receptors (AG129 mice) or the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR / mice) are susceptible to infection with mouseadapted DENV strains but are severely impaired in mounting functional immune responses to the virus and thus are of limited use for study. Here we used conditional deletion of the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR) on individual immune cell subtypes to generate a minimally manipulated mouse model that is susceptible to DENV while retaining global immune competence. Mice lacking IFNAR expression on CD11c dendritic cells and LysM macrophages succumbed completely to DENV infection, while mice deficient in the receptor on either CD11c or LysM cells were susceptible to infection but often resolved viremia and recovered fully from infection. Conditional IFNAR mice responded with a swift and strong CD8 T-cell response to viral infection, compared to a weak response in IFNAR / mice. Furthermore, mice lacking IFNAR on either CD11c or LysM cells were also sufficiently immunocompetent to raise a protective immune response to a candidate subunit vaccine against DENV-2. These data demonstrate that mice with conditional deficiencies in expression of the IFNAR represent improved models for the study of DENV immunology and screening of vaccine candidates.
The time evolution of the Milky Way’s oxygen abundance gradient

© 2018 The Author(s). We study the evolution of oxygen abundance radial gradients as a function of time for the Milky Way Galaxy obtained with our MulChem chemical evolution model. We review the recent data of abundances for different objects observed in our Galactic disc. We analyse with our models the role of the growth of the stellar disc, as well as the effect of infall rate and star formation prescriptions, or the pre-enrichment of the infall gas, on the time evolution of the oxygen abundance radial distribution. We compute the radial gradient of abundances within the disc, and its corresponding evolution, taking into account the disc growth along time. We compare our predictions with the data compilation, showing a good agreement. Our models predict a very smooth evolution when the radial gradient is measured within the optical disc with a slight flattening of the gradient from ∼-0.057 dex kpc-1 at z = 4 until values around ∼-0.015 dex kpc-1 at z = 1 and basically the same gradient until the present, with small differences between models. Moreover, some models show a steepening at the last times, from z = 1 until z = 0 in agreement with data which give a variation of the gradient in a range from -0.02 to -0.04 dex kpc-1 from t = 10 Gyr until now. The gradient measured as a function of the normalized radius R/Reff is in good agreement with findings by CALIFA and MUSE, and its evolution with redshift falls within the error bars of cosmological simulations.
Contribution to comprehending symbolism and meaning of architectural form

Architectural form and space, from the very beginning of their creation, weren’t only elements reflecting mere act of building; as the act of human actions, they included proper symbolic presentation of a creator's perception of the world. The initial point is that each physical, therefore each architectural form, speaks volumes on more than just their purpose, so it can have symbolic meanings, being proved in history of architecture for such a long time. While observing architectural form, these two questions impose. The first question refers to identifying usable purpose of particular facility, in other words, its function. The second question imposes to identify what are the things that we are reminded of concerning that particular facility. This second question represents search for the meaning in each form that mankind instinctively longs to identify in order to comprehend the world we live in. No matter if we are in natural or building area, everything we are surrounded by has got specific forms recalling certain associations. The aim of this paper is to indicate that pictures appearing as a consequence of close forms and designs represent associations and they should not be compared to symbols. The goal of this research is to contribute to clearer seeing of symbolism of architectural form, in which situations it exists and whether it exists in contemporary architectural forms. This work is based on elements of Gestalt observation theory.
Glowworm swarm optimization algorithm for solving multi-constrained QoS multicast routing problem

The glowworm swarm optimization algorithm is used to solve the multi-constrained QoS multicast routing problem and QoS-GSO algorithm is presented. Our test shows that the algorithm can find optimal solution quickly and has better performance than GA and ACO. Furthermore, for the larger multi-constrained QoS multicast routing problem, the QoS-GSO algorithm can also quickly obtain the correct solution, which has good prospects of application.
Effect of low-frequency oscillation on performance of Hall thrusters

In this paper, a direct connection between the discharge current amplitude and the thruster performance is established by varying solely the capacitance of the filter unit of the Hall thrusters. To be precise, the variation characteristics of ion current, propellant utilization efficiency, and divergence angle of plume at different low-frequency oscillation amplitudes are measured. The findings demonstrate that in the case of the propellant in the discharge channel just meets or falls below the full ionization condition, the increase of low-frequency oscillation amplitude can significantly enhance the ionization degree of the neutral gas in the channel and increase the thrust and anode efficiency of thruster. On the contrary, the increase in the amplitude of low-frequency oscillation will lead to increase the loss of plume divergence, therefore the thrust and anode efficiency of thruster decrease.